17" (43 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate, very full cheeks and rounded face, heavily-modeled eyelids, painted blue down-gazing eyes with decorative glaze at lower edge, dark eyeliner, painted all-around lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with accented lips, unpierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, gutta percha poupee body with shapely torso, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Poupee Brevete S.G.D.G. Comments: Adelaide Huret, circa 1861, with deposed rare blown leather body by Clement; and with a locking mechanism at swivel neck which was deposed by Huret in 1861, designed to prevent the head from swiveling totally around in an unrealistic manner. Value Points: the beauty of the early doll, with flawless bisque, sculpting and painting, is further enhanced by rare body and original shoes Huret a Paris. The doll is offered from the private collection of the noted couturiere Louise Hedrick of Wisconsin along with a hand-stitched trousseau of costumes including white pique dress with red soutache embroidery with matching cape and hood; Swiss dress of sheer antique cotton muslin with white chemisette and blue straw fanchon bonnet; silk ivory ensemble with aqua braid trim and matching felt hat; summer dress of delicate flower-patterned muslin with ruffled bretelles; ivory cotton dress with lace fichu in the Marie Antoinette style; and purple silk dress with white soutache embroidery, detachable lappets, white chemisette and matching purple bonnet. The costumes were created by Louise Hedrick of antique fabrics from the original patterns presented in La Poupee Modele, 1865 era. Included is the book A French Fashion Doll's Wardrobe. Patterns 1864-1874 by Louise Hedrick. Private collection of Louise Hedrick, ex-collection of Peggy Lancaster.
Presale Estimate:
18,000/25,000
2 1/2" (6 cm.) x 2" books. Set of six miniature brown leather books with gold tooling and lettering on the covers features six different plays by William Shakespeare, published by Anthony Triherne & Co, Longon, 1904. Along with an early miniature painting on shell depicting an 18th century family scene with five people in the foreground gathered around a table, one person peeking in a window, and a dog and various people in the side background, in early frame with beveled glass cover. Excellent condition.
Presale Estimate:
400/500
10" (25 cm.) The dark walnut chair of richly burled woods features rolled arms with looped undersides, slightly splayed legs and slightly curved back splats, with paisley covered seat. Excellent condition. English, Georgian/Sheraton period, early 1800s.
Presale Estimate:
400/500
17" (43 cm.) All-carved wooden doll with one-piece head and torso, well-defined chin and throat, carved detail of ears, inset black enamel eyes, all-around dot painted lashes, single-stroke brows with dot highlight edging, strong nose, closed mouth with kindly-set lips, original facial complexion with cheek blush spots, original wig with rolled curls at the side and captured back hair in black ribbon, cloth upper arms, wooden lower arms with fork-shaped fingers, simply-carved wooden legs with dowel-jointing at hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: English, mid-1700s, the doll closely resembles the famous wooden doll known as Letitia Penn, and may have originated from that same English work shop. Value Points: very fine original condition of the early doll with excellent detail of painting, wearing original aristocratic costume highlighted by an ivory silk jacket with very fine gold and purple embroidery, silk covered buttons, and even tiny embroidered flowers on the background fabric, and with yellow silk vest, ruffled jabot, pants, woven stockings and tapestry woven slippers with leather soles. The doll is preserved in original wooden box with an additional tricorn hat, black hair ribbons, tiny lacquer snuff box, and several family papers including an early hand-lettered invoice from Wm. Tayler "Clothier, Tailor & Breeches Maker" at Cavendish Square from which the gentleman's costume may have been commissioned.
Presale Estimate:
35,000/55,000
18" (46 cm.) Paper mache shoulder head with oval face and elongated throat, black enamel eyes, painted lashes, arched brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth, blushed cheeks, applied hair drawn smoothly over painted pate, kid-over-wooden upper torso with shaped bosom and waist, kid lower torso, legs with gusset-jointing at knees, curve shaped arms with stitched and separated fingers. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French, circa 1840. Value Points: superbly preserved condition of the elegant poupee with gleaming patina of complexion, original sturdy body, and wearing original wedding gown of muslin, silk and linen, with garland coronet, undergarments, pearls, tacked on stockings, silk slippers. Private collection Lorna Lieberman.
Presale Estimate:
1800/2700
13" (33 cm.) Paper mache shoulder head with well-modeled bosom, slightly-elongated throat, sculpted black hair with a cluster of curls at her crown that are bordered by a beaded comb, and with ringlet curls cascading in front of each ear, painted blue eyes with darker blue iris rims, black upper eyeliner, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with center line between the lips and slightly-upturned lip corners, with original kid over firm upper torso and arms, firmly-stuffed hand-stitched lower torso and elongated legs, red paper bands at wrists and ankles, with wooden lower arms and wooden feet with painted red shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French, circa 1820. Value Points: rare model with exquisite detail of hair, lovely facial expression, rare and original body designed for wearing high-waist Empire-style fashions. The actual doll is photographed and described in The Art of Dolls, 1790-1940, page 21, by Madeline Merrill. Private collection of Lorna Lieberman, ex-collection Estelle Johnston.
Presale Estimate:
2500/3500
24" (61 cm.) Solid domed paper-mache shoulder head with oval face, elongated strong throat, small black enamel eyes, feathered arched brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with pale accented lips, kid-body with shapely torso and limbs, gusset-jointing at hips, stitched and separated fingers with rare original sewn-on gloves. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French, attributed to Andrea Voit, circa 1840. Value Points: the lady has superb wig with extended length coiled braids, gentle expression, original finish, sturdy original body, and fine early costume and original tacked-on undergarments. Private collection Lorna Lieberman.
Presale Estimate:
2200/2700
3" (8 cm.) Each is a luxury souvenir of an elegant Viennese ball, designed as a remembrance of that particular formal ball, including a dance card designed as an oval mirror set in a velvet matte with gilt frame, with silk covered dance card at the back for Burger-Ball of 1883; dance card designed as a shield with centered gilt medallion and edging, green tassel trim, attached silk dance card at back; and metal medallion with emblematic flags and swords arranged on velvet background, tassel trims. Excellent condition. Vienna, late 19th century.
Presale Estimate:
500/800
17" (43 cm.) Pressed bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate, uniquely cut pate to indicate original placement of hair tendrils as wig, blue glass inset eyes with strongly modeled eyelids, aquiline nose with accented nostrils, rose blushed eye shadow, dark eyeliner and painted short lashes, brushstroked arched brows, closed mouth with strong accent line between the lips, dimpled chin, pierced ears, kid gusset-jointed body with kid over wooden upper arms, bisque arms extending to well above the elbows (the right arm modeled with bent elbow), expressively-posed fingers, brunette mohair wig, lovely antique costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 4 Bte SGDG. Comments: Leverd & Cie, his unique wig system was deposed in 1869 and made for one or two years only. Value Points: extremely rare poupee with regal expression, finest bisque and painting, rare wig system, original body with superbly-sculpted hands.
Presale Estimate:
8000/11,000
15" (38 cm.) One-piece carved wooden child posed seated with head tilted to the side, right arm uplifted and left arm resting on arm of chair, feet posed on foot rest, brown enamel eyes in well-defined eye sockets, defined upper eyeliner, brushstroked brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth in shy smile, defined teeth, blonde fleecy curls peeking from under attached brocade cap. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Obergammerau region of Germany, late 1700s. Value Points: wonderful presence, the child has original very fine painted finish, expressive facial features and body pose, early costume, and is posed seated in original well-carved wooden child's chair with wheeled base and playful glass marbles.
Presale Estimate:
6500/8500