French Bisque Taufling Baby by Jules Steiner

15" (38 cm). Solid domed bisque shoulderhead with rounded facial modelling, almond shaped blue glass enamel inset eyes, painted lashes, rose blushed eyeshadow, fringed brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with shaded and accented lips, twill covered midriff hiding "mama" bellows crier, twill upper arms, bisque arms from above the elbows, cupped bisque hands, bisque lower torso and upper legs, twill mid-legs, bisque lower legs and feet. Condition: generally excellent, right baby finger broken at knuckle. Comments: Jules Steiner, circa 1875, the doll was inspired by the Japanese play dolls introduced at the 1855 London Exposition, and can be considered the precursor to the French bebe of the 1880's. Value Points: rare to find this early model in such well-preserved original condition, with beautiful bisque, functioning "mama" crier.