9" (23 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass spiral-threaded eyes, lushly-painted lashes, brushstroked brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with downcast lips, pierced ears, ash blonde mohair wig, Sonneberg composition and wooden fully-jointed body, antique costume, undergarments, tiny antique leather shoes. Marks: 0. Comments: Sonneberg, circa 1880, the doll closely resembles the Bru bebe known as "circle-dot" whose market the doll attempted to capture. Value Points: most endearing doll with wonderfully expressive features, especially rare in this tiny size.
Presale Estimate:
800/1100
Realized Price:
$2,800
19" (48 cm.) Bisque socket head, brown glass sleep eyes, painted lashes, brushstroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, auburn mohair wig over plaster pate, composition and wooden six-loose-ball-jointed body with straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent, original body and body finish, scuffed finish on hands. Marks: 13. Comments: Kestner, circa 1885. Value Points: fine delicate bisque, enhanced by silk and velvet Marquis costume, along with plush and velvet pup with amber glass eyes.
Presale Estimate:
1200/1600
Realized Price:
$1,400
18" (46 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass sleep eyes, mohair lashes, feathered brows, painted lower lashes, accented nostrils, slightly-parted lips, four porcelain teeth, pierced ears, brunette mohair wig, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: SFBJ 301 Paris 5. Comments: SFBJ, circa 1917. Value Points: very pretty bebe with original wig, body, body finish, is wearing original theatrical costume in the Renaissance manner, and cream kidskin shoes, "jewel" trimmed crown, metallic braid trim, likely from the series of costumes created by the Parisian studio of Margaine-Lacroix, featuring the important Albert Marque art doll.
Presale Estimate:
800/1200
Realized Price:
$7,000
5" (13 cm.) Each has poured wax head with painted facial features and sculpted hair, armature body with wooden lower limbs. Condition: generally excellent, one has missing hands hidden under sleeves. Comments: Continental, early 1800s. Value Points: presented on original platforms, each doll is wearing original theatrical costume in the Renaissance manner.
Presale Estimate:
400/500
Realized Price:
$1,600
22" (56 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass sleep eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brushstroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with accented details, blonde mohair wig over plaster pate, composition and wooden six-loose-ball-jointed body with straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 14. Comments: Kestner, circa 1885, the model is known as "A.T. Kestner" for its close resemblance to the French bebe by Thuillier marked A.T. which likely inspired this doll. Value Points: outstanding example of the rarely found model with pronounced clarity of sculpted nose and lips, very choice bisque, original wig, outstanding original body in near mint condition. Included is vintage rose silk dress with mohair muff.
Presale Estimate:
3800/5200
Realized Price:
$5,500
14" (36 cm.) Bisque socket head with flattened solid dome and rich amber-tinted complexion, brown glass inset eyes, long painted lashes, brushstroked and multi-feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with defined space between the shaded lips, pierced ears, long brunette human hair wig, amber tinted composition and wooden fully-jointed body, straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 121 8. Comments: Sonneberg, circa 1884, the model closely resembles Bru's circle-dot model, whose market it aimed to capture. Value Points: the rarity of the model is matched by its gorgeous sculpting and luminous patina of golden-brown complexion, original body and body finish, wearing superb original burgundy silk and velvet dress, undergarments, knit stockings, leather shoes.
Presale Estimate:
1800/2200
Realized Price:
$2,600
7" (18 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque torso, blue glass inset eyes, painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth, blonde mohair wig, peg-jointing at shoulders and hips, painted knee-high ribbed stockings enhancing the shapely legs, black painted heels. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: G.K. 42.17 (torso and legs). Comments: Gebruder Kuhnlenz, circa 1890. Value Points: wearing original silk and lace costume and feathered felt bonnet, for the French market.
Presale Estimate:
600/900
Realized Price:
$950
4" (10 cm.) doll. 5" chair. One-piece bisque head and torso, blue glass eyes, closed mouth, painted facial features, peg-jointed arms and legs, blonde mohair wig. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French, circa 1885. Value Points: the doll wears original costume designed as cavalier. Included is miniature metal chair with rich gilt bronze finish and silk seat.
Presale Estimate:
800/1100
Realized Price:
$600
14" (36 cm.) Porcelain shoulderhead with short black sculpted hair accentuated with feathered detail around the forehead, double chin, muslin stitch-jointed body, porcelain lower arms. Condition: generally excellent, left thumb chipped. Comments: Germany, circa 1860. Value Points: seldom-found early model with plumply-modeled face and short hair, original forelock costume.
Presale Estimate:
600/800
Realized Price:
$450
5" (13 cm.) All-bisque doll with swivel head, cobalt blue glass sleep eyes, painted lashes and brows, open mouth, four tiny teeth, blonde mohair wig, peg-jointed bisque arms and legs, painted above-the-knee blue stockings and black flat shoes, nicely costumed. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, Simon and Halbig, circa 1890. Value Points: pretty child doll with rare blue stockings along with wooden miniature washstand with bracketed mirror and matching chair, each with original painted decorations.
Presale Estimate:
600/800
Realized Price:
$750