A Circle of Dolls
“A Circle of Dolls” was the theme of Theriault’s October, 1981 catalog auction, the title inspired by Frenchman architect, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, whose designs concerned the use of interlocking circles to unify people and places. This is, fittingly, the first commemorative title chosen. Highlighting the auction are dolls from the estate of Connie Frank of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, whose enthusiastic pleasure in dolls and toys graced the auction rooms of Theriault’s for nearly two decades. Softbound. 10" x 10". 140 pages.
$59.00
Catalog Lot List details
13" (33 cm.) and 12". Each is all-felt with center-seam and pressed facial features, disc-jointing at shoulders and hips. The groom has highly-characterized face with high domed bald pate, elongated crooked nose, stitch-shaped wide lips, stitched-on ears, green glass eyes, embroidered inverted-V brow, blushed cheeks and ears, mottled brown/grey sideburns and beard, short stocky body and over-sized feet. The bride has blue glass eyes, tiny painted lips, blushed cheeks, blonde mohair cropped wig. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Steiff (metal button on groom with underscored F). Comments: Steiff, circa 1910, the dolls are being sold from the original Pennsylvania family estate where they were costumed in commemoration of an early 1900s wedding. Also included is the original costume of man, including vest, pants, and wooden sandals stamped "Steiff". Value Points: wonderful pair enhanced by his highly-characterized features, the happy couple are wonderfully-preserved in fine tailor-made costumes, he with ivory silk vest, fine woolen formal suit, boutonniere, top hat, and she with ivory satin gown with coronet of lilies of the valley matching her bouquet, and extended train.
Presale Estimate:
4000/5500
Realized Price:
$4,000
9" (23 cm.) Each is all-cloth with stitched features, white mask face with embroidered black eyes, lashes, and mouth, black cloth nose and ears, black torso with stitched-on orange or red gloves and shoes, attached elongated tail. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: depicted are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, 1930s. Value Points: charming pair are wearing their original costumes, he with patched pants and fringed scarf, and she with red skirt and fringed scarf, polka dot pants.
Presale Estimate:
400/600
Realized Price:
$1,200
8 1/2" (22 cm.) Of fine mahogany with inlay striping, the arched top mirror is supported between two spindled brackets, which allow the mirror to tip back and forth. Excellent condition. French, circa 1875.
Presale Estimate:
300/400
Realized Price:
$550
8" (20 cm.) l. box. 2 1/2" tureen. An octagon-shaped wooden box decorated with velvet, lithographed paper and gilt papers, hinges open to reveal well-fitted interior containing original porcelain miniature dishes with mauve scroll work and gilt edging, the dishes still tied into their original backing with mauve silk bows. Excellent condition. French, circa 1870.
Presale Estimate:
600/800
Realized Price:
$2,200
23" (58 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with modeled bosom and shoulderblades, brown glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, mauve-blushed eyeshadow, brushstroked brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with tiny tongue tip between the shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French kid bebe body with kid-over-wooden body, gusset-jointing at hips and knees, bisque lower arms and hands. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Bru Jne 9 (head and shoulders). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1883. Value Points: gorgeous bebe with desirable tongue tip modeling, beautifully-painted features, luminous eyes, very sturdy original body and perfect bisque hands, original couturier Bru silk dress and undergarments, antique bonnet, leather shoes incised Bru Jne Paris 9.
Presale Estimate:
16,000/22,000
Realized Price:
$31,000
4" (10 cm.) l. Papeterie. Including slant-front red leather "Papeterie" with gilt scroll and lettering which is fitted with small stationery; early bonnet with red velvet border on woven straw form and decorated with dangling beads and flowers; coral necklace and earrings in original box; pair, red kidskin gloves, and bone-handled parasol with black silk cover. Excellent condition. French, circa 1870.
Presale Estimate:
800/1200
Realized Price:
$3,400
26" (66 cm.) Bisque socket head with rounded facial shape, small blue glass sleep eyes, dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, short brushstroked brows with feathered details, accented nostrils of upturned nose, open mouth, outlined lips, row of porcelain teeth, blonde mohair wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed toddler body with side-hip jointing, antique cotton school dress, undergarments, shoes, stockings. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 1489 Erika Simon & Halbig 14. Comments: Simon and Halbig, circa 1912. Value Points: rare model with unusual and most appealing facial expression, enhanced by finest quality bisque and painting, sought-after toddler body with original finish, this larger size is very rarely found.
Presale Estimate:
3000/4000
Realized Price:
$2,750
2 1/2" (6 cm.) Each is all-bisque, with swivel head, peg-jointed arms and legs, painted facial features, painted blue or black boots, or barefoot, mohair wig. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: for the French market, circa 1900. Value Points: the tiny dolls are each wearing factory-original folklore costume, one holding its own tinier doll.
Presale Estimate:
300/400
Realized Price:
$900
10" (25 cm.) Bisque socket head, blue glass sleep eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, brushstroked and feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, open mouth, four porcelain teeth, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig, composition and wooden ball-jointed body. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 99 Germany H 4/0. Comments: Heinrich Handwerck, circa 1900. Value Points: the pretty wide-eyed child has lovely bisque, original body and body finish, and wears beautiful antique dress, knit cap, undergarments, shoes and socks.
Presale Estimate:
350/500
Realized Price:
$2,200
11" (28 cm.) Bisque socket head with solid domed, sculpted short wheat-blonde hair with forelock curl topped by sculpted bellhop cap with chin strap, blue glass side-glancing googly eyes, painted lashes and brows, closed mouth with impish smile, composition and wooden fully-jointed body, bellhop costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Dep Elite F 2/0. Comments: Max Handwerck, circa 1920. Value Points: especially fine detail of sculpting enhanced by fine painting of hair and complexion, decorative detail of cap.
Presale Estimate:
800/1000
Realized Price:
$1,800