Passed
Click image to enlarge
Description
23" (58 cm.) Shoulderhead of hardened pressed cloth (appearing as though paper mache),black sculpted curly hair,painted facial features,blue eyes,painted short lashes,red eyeliner,brows,accented nostrils,closed mouth with accent line,sculpted coral earrings and gold necklace chain with cross,muslin stitch-jointed body with leather arms. Condition: original paint,heavy varnish surface may be later,original body. Marks: "bought 1870" lettered on front and back of torso). Comments: Charles Hawkins,a New York bonnet maker,deposed a system in 1868 for making doll's head by pressing cloth that had been saturated with glue into a mold; when hardened the form permanently held its shape and could be painted. Value Points: rarely found doll with modeled jewelry,original body,wearing original costume with unusual homespun undergarment,taffeta gown with silk thread embroidery (skirt is very worn and frail).