Landmark, The Margaret Lumia Collection
Only rarely do collections appear with such significance that they can rightfully be labeled legendary or lodestar. Or “Landmark”. Which is the auction title of the collection of Margaret Lumia. Chosen with a discerning eye, acquired with a dogged persistence, and nurtured carefully during their time in her care, her dolls offer today’s collectors a rare opportunity to see – and, perhaps win – a magnificent treasure from time past. The collection ranges from fine early wood and paper mache to superb French bébés and poupées, to the rarest of the German bisque art characters, mostly all in original costumes. There are dollhouses, early doll furniture, and more. Softbound. 10" x 10". 204 pages.
$79.00
Catalog Lot List details
24" (61 cm.) Carved wooden oval-shaped head with high domed forehead and full lower cheeks, well-sculpted ear details, elongated throat and shapely torso, almond-shaped black enamel eyes, "dot"-fringe lashes, feather-shaped brows, strong nose, defined eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth with prim lips, blushed cheeks, brunette human hair-wig over remnants of original tacked-on wig, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, spatula-shaped fingers with separate definition of thumbs, shapely details of both thighs and calves, Condition: generally excellent, original finish with few typical rubs. Comments: English, mid-1700s, the size and luxury details of carving indicate creation for member of the aristocracy. Value Points: regal presence and bearing, the lady is a well-preserved 250 year old, wearing superb original costume undergarments and hand-sewn rose silk slippers with kid soles.
Presale Estimate:
28,000/45,000
Realized Price:
$32,000
28" (71 cm.) All-carved wood doll with dramatically-shaped head which features a heart-shaped face and very full rounded back of head, elongated throat, distinctive nose, fully-carved pixie-like ears, heavy modeled eyelids, blue downcast eyes, red eyeliner with delicately painted upper lashes, tinted brows, closed mouth, painted hair with exuberant tendrils of curls around the forehead, sculpted collar with painted ruffled details, slender torso with defined waist, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, flat feet with painted brown slippers, original kid-over-wooden upper arms, hips and upper legs. Condition: generally excellent, original finish throughout, some minor typical rubs on face. Comments: Grodnertal, circa 1820, the doll is shown in Doll Collectors Manual, 1964, in an article by Ruth and E.C. Mathes, indicating that at the time the doll was in the collection of Lucille Grimes of Encinitas, California. Value Points: outstanding example of luxury quality wooden doll from the Grodnertal, its rarity features include grand size, unusual kid-over-wood body parts, exuberant painting of hair, unusual shape of face, sculpted collar, and wearing early fine early costume.
Presale Estimate:
8000/11,000
Realized Price:
$14,000
28" (71 cm.) All-carved wood doll with ovoid-shaped face and well-defined chin, elongated throat, distinctive nose, fully-carved pixie-like ears, heavy modeled eyelids, painted light brown eyes, red eyeliner with delicately painted upper lashes, fringed brows, closed mouth with slightly upturned lip corners, painted hair with wisps of curls extending daintily onto the forehead, shapely bosom with painted costume detail below, defined high waist, dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, flat feet with painted coral slippers with dark edging. Condition: generally excellent, original finish throughout, some minor typical rubs on face. Comments: Grodnertal, circa 1820. Value Points: superb early doll with very expressive features and expression, its rarity features include grand size, wonderfully-detailed hair, artistic original painting, and fine original costume of the Directoire era.
Presale Estimate:
8000/11,000
Realized Price:
$13,000
19" (48 cm.) Bisque swivel head on kid-edged bisque shoulderplate with delicate pale bisque, blue glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, delicately-feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with hint of smile, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French kid poupee body with square-cut collarette, gusset-jointing at hips and knees, wooden arms with dowel-jointing at shoulders, elbows and wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: H (head and shoulders). Comments: Leon Casimir Bru, circa 1867, his early period smiling Bru model with original Bru body from depose of 1867. Value Points: rare poupee whose gentle expression is enhanced by delicate bisque and painting, original wig, rare body, and wearing superb antique dress with pagoda sleeves and extended train, undergarments, shoes, and velvet and crepe de chene cap.
Presale Estimate:
5500/7500
Realized Price:
$5,500
21" (53 cm.) x 12"w. Of fine rosewood veneers, the armoire features angled corners, single lower drawer, mirrored front door with shelved interior and is accented with cast bronze details including drawer pulls, escutcheon, key, figural design of woman with flowing hair, two side figural mounts, and edging around the mirror and at top and bottom. Excellent condition. French, maitrise model of fine cabinetry, mid-1800s.
Presale Estimate:
1200/1800
Realized Price:
$1,900
18" (46 cm.) Pale bisque swivel head with regal expression, cameo-shaped face and elongated throat, attached to bisque shoulder plate with Dehors deposed neck attachment that permits the doll to nod, tilt and swivel its head in infinite poses, cobalt blue glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, arched feathered brows, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth with slightly smiling expression on pale accented lips, ears pierced into head, brunette mohair wig over cork pate, shapely kid body with kid-over- wood dowel jointed upper arms, bisque arms from above the elbows with modeled bent right elbow, gusset-jointed hips and knees. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Auguste Alexandre Dehors, whose remarkable 1866 depose neck attachment was described as allowing the doll to "raise or lower [its head] modestly or triumphantly." A Dehors signed example of the identical facial model with this system is known. Value Points: extremely rare doll, her rarity rivaled by portrait-like beauty, superb quality of bisque and painting, perfectly preserved state, and superb original costume comprising blue linen suit with lace trim, undergarments, woven bonnet with lace streamers, turquoise earrings, leather ankle boots.
Presale Estimate:
11,000/15,000
Realized Price:
$18,000
21" (53 cm.) Bisque socket head with elongated slender facial modeling and delicately-tinted complexion, full lower cheeks, wide almond shaped blue glass enamel inset eyes with spiral threading, dark eyeliner encircles the eye sockets, mauve-blushed eyeshadow, painted lashes, brushstroked brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with defined space between the shaded and outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully jointed body with unique styling, straight wrists. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: 3 J.M. (and stylized symbol). Comments: Mothereau, circa 1880. Value Points: among the rarest of the early French bebes, with superb sculpting and bisque, outstanding artistic painting of features, original unique body and body finish, fine antique costume, undergarments, elaborate bonnet, stockings, shoes. Ex-Collection Puppen & Spielzeug Museum of Vienna.
Presale Estimate:
11,000/13,000
Realized Price:
$10,000
6" (15 cm.) tree. 4" doll. With wooden base, the green plush velvet tree is decorated with tiny candles and bells. Along with an all-bisque doll with sculpted blonde hair and black top hat, painted facial features and black shoes, wearing factory original gentleman's costume. Condition: generally excellent. Germany, circa 1900. Value Points: rare holiday tree, the gentleman is enhanced with sculpted top hat.
Presale Estimate:
500/800
Realized Price:
$450
9" (23 cm.) x 7" framed. 4" x 3" image. An exquisitely-painted scene on board depicts a frivolously-costumed young Dauphin with tilted bicorn cap and walking stick, holding an early paper mache bonneted doll with poupard shaped body. The painting is signed L.L. in lower left corner, and has fine gold leaf frame. Excellent condition. French, circa 1885, by the renowned painter, Luigi Loir, noted for his genre social scenes of fashionable children. He was commissioned on occasion to create art work for a series of trade cards for luxury goods stores; these trade cards can sometimes be found today but the original art, of which this is an example, is virtually unknown.
Presale Estimate:
800/1100
Realized Price:
$1,400
22" (56 cm.) Pale pressed bisque socket head with very plump rounded facial modeling, large blue glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, painted lashes, rose-blushed eyeshadow, multi-feathered brows, small rounded nose with accented nostrils, closed mouth with accent line between the lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, French composition and wooden fully-jointed body with loose-ball- jointing, and distinctive metal hands, well costumed in antique velvet suit, white shirt with Buster Brown collar, socks, leather shoes, velvet cap. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Petit & Dumoutier, circa 1882. Value Points: very rare model in fine large size with outstanding bisque and modeling, dramatic eyes that contrast the very pale bisque, original rare body. Ex-Lucy Morgan Collection.
Presale Estimate:
12,000/15,000
Realized Price:
$9,500