$18,500
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sold
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Description
19" (48 cm.) Honey-toned poured wax shoulderhead turned to the left, plump rosy cheeks, blue glass inset eyes, delicately tinted features, closed mouth with downcast lips with tristful expression, soft mohair tendrils inserted into scalp, softly-stuffed muslin body, poured wax lower limbs, bare feet, wearing original fine white cotton dress with broderie Anglaise bodice, undergarments, socks and shoes, and lace coiffe decorated with fabric flowers. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Montanari ...189 Soho Bazaar (partly legible signature on torso). Comments: Montanari, circa 1845. The doll was a gift to the young English girl, Heather Smith on her 9th birthday in 1848. The doll has been preserved in her original wooden box with British cabinetmaker's label on the underside since 1848 according to an ink written note that accompanies her. The box is fully lined with padded polished sateen that is edged with silk fringe and with original label on the lid "Gordon Smith, With Great Care". An ink-script note attached to the inside bottom of the box reads "This doll which was given to me by Aunt on my Birthday October 23rd 1843 was...placed in this box which Mamma gave me October 23rd, 1848. H. U. Smith". Evidently, soon after Heather received the birthday doll, she damaged its arm and it was sent for repair. When the doll arrived back to Heather she placed it in the box where it remained thereafter, along with three original poems about the doll, one "written" by the doll upon its return to Heather, proclaiming "I've come back again, my sweet mother to cheer". Included with the doll and custom box are the three handwritten poems and a hand-painted porcelain miniature painting of the doll which hangs in the box. Value Points: an extraordinary doll, notable for its beautifully-preserved condition, with rare maker's mark, and outstanding provenance including documents and miniature painting. The doll was showcased for many years in the Mary Merritt Doll Museum of Pennsylvania until its closing in 2005, and has been cherished in one collector's home since that time.