20" (51 cm.) Rich amber brown felt swivel head with strongly featured nose and chin, stitched ears, painted blue side-glancing eyes, black painted brows and war paint details, black silk floss braids, firmly-stuffed amber brown felt torso and limbs, painted sunburst on his front torso, jointing at shoulders and hips, four stitched-together fingers, separate thumb. Wearing blue felt costume with embroidered and braided accents, fringed detail on pants and sleeves, belt with two separately attached felt holster and purse trimmed with beading, felt moccasins, wrapped headdress with bountiful felt "feathers" that cascade to his heels at the back. Condition: overall excellent with some light fading of costume at the front, headdress feathers are restored by R. John Wright. Comments: Lenci, circa 1920, the model was featured in the Paris department store catalog of Au Printemps in that year, described as "No 1 Chef Indien" at a price of 189 fr. Fifteen Lenci dolls were shown in that catalog, believed to be the premiere advertisement of her dolls. This model was #1 of her dolls, and was the most expensive in the ad. Value Points: extremely rare doll whose artistic details include facial and chest painting. Few examples are known to exist. Ex-Collection R. John Wright. The 1800s European fascination with the American Wild West, continued into the early 1900s, invigorated by the silent film industry. It is certain that Lenci was intrigued by this phenomenon also, as a few years later she actually presented a cowboy named Tom Mix in honor of the Hollywood silent film star.
Presale Estimate:
2200/2800
Realized Price:
$1,700
18" (46 cm.) Felt swivel head with firmly-pressed mask facial features, very strong nose and jaw, painted blue side-glancing eyes, thick brows and moustache, separately stitched ears, brown hair weft-sewn to head, firmly-stuffed felt torso and limbs, jointing at shoulders and hips, four sewn-together fingers, separate thumb. Wearing red felt shirt with button cuffs, grey felt vest with stud trim, blue front fringed neck scarf, brown felt hat with upturned brim, brown felt fringed trousers with white fur chaps, mid-calf laced leather boots, leather belt and holster with pistol, rope lasso. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Lenci, circa 1920, the model appeared in Lenci's 1920 premiere ad for the Paris department store of Au Printemps, listed as "#6 Cow Boy", selling at 110 fr. The model may have been inspired by Tom Mix who starred in American Westerns from 1909 onward, and was known to be admired by Madame Lenci.
Presale Estimate:
3500/4500
Realized Price:
$4,750
25" (64 cm.) Felt swivel head with mask pressed face, up-tilted chin and nose, angular features, painted brown side-glancing eyes with half-closed lids and pronounced brown eye shadow and liner, painted brown spit curls onto sides of cheeks, closed mouth with painted teeth, shaded lower lips, elongated slender body with modeled bent elbows, four sewn-together fingers, separate thumb, disc-jointing at shoulders and hips, seam jointing of knees allowing seated pose. Wearing cream/white felt costume with black felt edging on skirt ruffles and collar, black felt throat ruffle and cuffs, red felt rose at bodice, wide-brimmed hat with black pom-pom, knee length pants, black leggings and black heeled shoes with white pom-poms. Condition: very good, light dusting of face, few moth holes, tip of left heel broken. Marks: Lenci di. E. Scavini Made in Italy N. 161 (rectangular paper label with attached metal button). Comments: Lenci, 1924, one of the earliest models of boudoir dolls. Value Points: the rare doll has exquisitely-painted face with half-closed eyes, and is wearing wonderful costume in the Pierrette manner.
Presale Estimate:
2200/2800
Realized Price:
$3,900
21" (53 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed mask face, painted narrow brown side-glancing eyes with heavy eyelids, grey eye shadow, brown painted lashes, accented nostrils, closed mouth with accented lower lip, felt torso and limbs, jointing at shoulders, hips and knees. Wearing black felt Pierrot costume with black and white ruffled collars, white felt buttons, and black stitched-on skull cap with wire-framed felt flower on long felt stem. Condition: very good, some light dustiness. Comments: Lenci, circa 1924, model 115A, Pierrot, modeled by Maurice Dudovich, was made in three variations of costume colors. Pierrot was a popular figure depicting a naive and sad clown in the Commedia dell'Arte theatrical series that was enjoying a resurgence in both Italy and Paris in the 1920s. Value Points: wearing original black felt Pierrot costume with white buttons, and carrying wooden mandolin with green felt ties.
Presale Estimate:
1200/1500
Realized Price:
$1,600
27" (69 cm.) Felt swivel head with heart-shaped face, modeled downcast brown eyes with pronounced eyelids, brown eyeliner, arched brows, tiny nostril accents and closed mouth, felt torso and limbs, jointing at shoulders and hips, seam-jointing at knees allowing seated pose. Wearing cream white felt costume with black felt buttons, white ruffled collar, white felt ide-brimme hat with black button over black skull cap, with felt flowers in right hand and carrying painted wooden guitar. Condition: good, some dustiness, few moth holes, missing shoes. Comments: Lenci, circa 1929, model 576. Value Points: the rare female version of Pierrot is distinguished by unique face which is wonderfully preserved, and having wooden guitar rather than mandolin. The exact doll is shown in Lenci, the History and the Dolls by Nancy Lazenby, page 66.
Presale Estimate:
1200/2200
Realized Price:
$1,800
18" (46 cm.) Firmly-stuffed light-brown felt doll, chubby swivel head with plump cheeks, wide googly side-glancing painted eyes, painted black all-around curly lashes, black brows, rounded nose with accented nostrils, closed mouth with felt applique lips, black hair in highly-stylized cut including spit curl on forehead. intricatedart-shaped torso and limbs, modeled bent elbows, jointing at shoulder and hips, separated fingers. Condition: generally excellent, little mend at one pierced ear hole. Comments: Lenci, circa 1927, model 554, the doll portrays the American-born Parisian dancer Josephine Baker in her most famous costume, "Danse Banane", from her 1925 performance at the Folies Bergere. Value Points: extremely rare Lenci model, paying homage to the famed performer known as the Bronze Venus, or, simply "La Baker", the doll is also notable for its unique construction details, the intricate darts, padding, and insets enhancing her seductive pose, wearing a felt banana costume with leaves and vine, and elaborate original brass bangle jewelry. Elena di Scavini mingled in the intellectual and art circles of 1920s Europe, with celebrated friends from throughout the continent. Some served as generic inspiration for her dolls, and others, some of whom became dear friends such as Josephine Baker, were made into splendid dolls which actually bore their names.
Presale Estimate:
5000/7000
Realized Price:
$6,000
18" (46 cm.) Felt swivel head with very plump face, pressed and painted facial features, round brown side-glancing eyes with brown curly upper lashes, rounded nose, closed mouth, unusual black fleecy hair with shaped sideburns, firmly-stuffed felt plump torso and jointed arms and legs, separately sewn fingers. Costumed as a matador in bright red felt costume with metallic thread embroidery, red cape with velvet accent, white shirt, black tie, stockings, black leatherette shoes with red edging and heels, and a black cap that is elaborately-constructed with ruffled felt pom-poms. Condition: generally excellent, very slight costume fading. Comments: Lenci, the doll appeared in the 1925 Lenci catalog identified as #267 "Bombita". "Bombita" was the name given to the celebrated Spanish matadors Emilio and Ricardo Torres whose height of popularity was at the time of the doll's production. It is one of the very few named celebrity dolls by Lenci. Value Points: rare model with delightful expression, wonderful costume with intricate construction and detail. Ex-Billie Nelson Tyrell Collection.
Presale Estimate:
1500/1800
Realized Price:
$2,300
13" (33 cm.) Firmly-stuffed one piece head and torso with oval shaped face and elongated throat, painted blue side-glancing eyes in large round shape, painted lashes and one-stroke brows, tiny nose and closed mouth with bottom lip accents, blonde mohair wig in tight ringlet curls, jointing at shoulders and hips. Wearing orange felt dress in the late 1700s style with scalloped edge hem, ruffled organdy apron, collar, cuffs, pantalets and petticoat, black felt shoes, yellow wide-brimmed felt bonnet with golden felt band and applique felt flowers, and carrying felt flowers in her right hand. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Lenci Turin Italy Di E. Scavini Made in Italy 204... (rectangular paper label). Comments: Lenci, model 204, a color and size variation of the doll appearing on the cover of the 1924 Lenci catalog. This actual doll is shown in Lenci, The History and the Dolls by Nancy Lazenby, page 64. Value Points: vibrant and well-preserved costume, the doll has unusual construction detail and charming petite size of lady doll.
Presale Estimate:
1100/1300
Realized Price:
$850
10" (25 cm.) Black felt swivel head with pressed facial features, painted brown eyes with one eye half-closed as though winking, dot brows, closed mouth with impish crooked smile, firmly-stuffed body, jointing at shoulders and hips, stitched-on white gloves and shoes with black tips. Wearing two-piece red felt bellman uniform with brass button and matching stitched-on cap with black strap. Condition: excellent. Comments: Lenci, circa 1920, the doll was shown in Lenci's premiere advertising of 1920 described as "#10 Lift Negro" (see page 8). Value Points: exceptionally fine state of preservation of both doll and costume on this rare model. The actual doll is shown in Lenci, The History and the Dolls by Nancy Lazenby, page 53.
Presale Estimate:
1100/1300
Realized Price:
$1,400
16" (41 cm.) Firmly-pressed amber brown felt swivel head with elongated throat, head tilted to the side, brown painted eyes with heavily-modeled eyelids and black eyeliner and lashes, closed mouth with provocative smile, painted teeth, stitched ears, black wiry stitched-on hair, slender elongated felt torso and limbs, swivel waist, three middle stitched fingers, baby finger and thumbs separate. Wearing russet and orange felt costume comprising skirt strips with loop and bead dangles, fringed sash, matching vest with fringed edges, matching fringed coronet and netting, matching sandals, bangle earrings. Condition: doll is fair/good, costume is excellent, moth holes at sides of head, tip of nose, ankles, feet, rump. Comments: Lenci, the doll was first mentioned in a December 1919 article in the Italian monthly Noi & IL Mondo, and then appeared in the 1920 ad in Playthings magazine and in the 1920 Au Printemps catalog identified as "#7 Salome" for 129 fr. Value Points: important premiere model with intriguing social history and great rarity, unusual construction detail of swivel waist. The silent film, Salome, of scandalous fame, starring Theda Bara had premiered in 1918, and it is likely the doll was inspired by this film.
Presale Estimate:
1600/1900
Realized Price:
$1,500