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
10" (25 cm.) Porcelain shoulderhead of young lad, painted short brown side-parted hair in boyish manner, painted facial features, narrow blue eyes, closed mouth, soft blushing, cloth body, porcelain lower limbs, painted socks and black buckle shoes, silk costume. Condition: Generally excellent. Marks: MDT 53. Comments: portrait of young Prince Charles at the time of his mother's coronation in 1953 by charter NIADA artist, Martha Thompson. Value Points: very apt portraiture of the young prince.
Presale Estimate:
400/600
Realized Price:
$500
10" (25 cm.) Porcelain shoulderhead of young girl, blonde sculpted short curly hair, painted facial features, narrow blue eyes, closed mouth, soft blushing, cloth body, porcelain lower limbs, painted socks and white strap shoes, lace costume. Condition: Generally excellent. Marks: MDT 53. Comments: portrait of young Princess Anne at the time of her mother's coronation in 1953 by charter NIADA artist, Martha Thompson. Value Points: very fine sculpting of hair and facial features.
Presale Estimate:
400/500
Realized Price:
$550
21" (53 cm.) Sculpted porcelain shoulderhead depicting Queen Elizabeth with brown sculpted hair under a sculpted silver crown with rhinestone accents, painted facial features, brown eyes, painted lashes and brushstroked brows, closed mouth, defined throat hollow and bosom, cloth body, bisque arms and legs, silver heeled shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: M. Thompson Elizabeth II 1953. Comments: Martha Thompson, 1953, the doll is wearing couturier gown created for this doll by Martha Yeske, a close friend of Martha Thompson; the doll was acquired by its present owner from Martha Yeske nearly 60 years ago. Value Points: rare version of the portrait queen, having sculpted crown and sculpted necklace with rhinestone accents.
Presale Estimate:
800/1100
Realized Price:
$1,800
17" (43 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate, large grey glass enamel inset eyes with darker grey outer rims, painted lashes, arched feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with delicately-accented lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French kid poupee body with shapely torso, gusset-jointing at elbows, hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 4. Comments: French, attributed to Jumeau, circa 1875. Value Points: beautiful expression with luminous eyes, original wig, sturdy body, wearing original silk couturier costume, bonnet, undergarments, leather boots.
Presale Estimate:
2800/3500
Realized Price:
$2,900
5" (13 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque torso, cobalt blue glass eyes, single-stroke brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with pertly-shaped lips, blonde mohair wig with extended braid, peg-jointed bisque arms and legs, painted white ribbed stockings and black two-strap shoes. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: for the French market, circa 1890. Value Points: most endearing expression, wearing antique red silk dress with lace trim and silk-covered buttons.
Presale Estimate:
500/700
Realized Price:
$5,000
5" (13 cm.) Solid domed bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque torso, cobalt blue glass inset eyes, painted lashes, single-stroke brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with center accent line, peg-jointed bisque arms and legs, painted white stockings and brown heeled ankle boots. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: for the French market, circa 1882, the mignonettes were introduced at that time in the Paris Etrennes catalog described as "poupees de poche" (pocket dolls) in reference to their dainty size. Value Points: especially beautiful face with fine painting of features, cobalt blue eyes, rare brown boots, antique costume.
Presale Estimate:
800/1100
Realized Price:
$1,700
3 1/2" (9 cm.) l. necessaire. Including firm-sided ovoid-shaped necessaire with ornamental velvet and embossed leather cover, bail handles, fitted interior with tiny bone awl and thimble, and metal scissors. Along with a glass-top box with gilt edging containing six faux-tortoise hair combs in petite size for poupees, each comb different; and with a pair of 4" brown kidskin gloves. Excellent condition. French, circa 1875.
Presale Estimate:
500/700
Realized Price:
$1,500
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