20" circa 1840, carved wood shoulderhead lady with marvelous facial features, she boasts exceptionally beautiful carved hair details that include a coiled bun, plus note her pierced ears. The paint in front is entirely original, however the paint on the reverse has seen a bit of refreshing.
On her original elongated leather body (scattered patching and front of leather feet replaced) that is fitted with carved wooden arms, she is dressed in period cottons, and do not miss her antique leather boots.
A true rarity, who to the casual observer, could be easily confused with a papier-mache.

Click here to view details "au naturel"

$4700.00

19 1/2" tall, amazing and perfect China -- this doll has it all -- especially, a detailed hairstyle that features an intricate knot in back, plus sausage curls that cascade down the side of the neck, and continue down in back. Her pale blue eyes are the perfect complement to her elegant, gauzy silk, tiered gown that features rich golden stripes. The cloth body is fitted with long china arms with cupped hands.
An elegant presentation fit for a supremely elegant china.

Please click here to view "au naturel"

SOLD
Thank you, L.

8-1/4" German bisque Lad with a molded hat – a very rare fellow, indeed! Details include blue painted eyes, healthy cheeks, and the wonderful molded hat, of course, which features molded blue streamers that cascade over his blond hair and onto his shoulder plate. Even the shoulder plate is special due to a molded shirt-front with a collar and a molded, maroon-painted neckerchief!
On a classic cloth body with bisque limbs, our little fellow wears wool tweed trousers and a Bavarian style jacket with wide lapels edged in black velvet...quite the fashion statement!

Please click here to view "au naturel" details

SOLD

The Sezincote Folly

John Darcy Noble named this delightful creation – part-grotto, part-Victorian-seashell-fantasy, all-wonderful – after a home that Sir Charles Cockerell built for himself in England with the fortune he had made in India. The home was called “Sezincote” and "was designed as a frivolous, Oriental fantasy, all fretwork and minarets, with a splendid onion dome."
According to John, "it's early Summer in the folly garden" and proof of that observation is the flag that flies high over Sezincote, for it is dated June, 1863.
Doll-life is bliss in the Folly, the many wooden and porcelain inhabitants eat strawberry cake, share it with their mouse friends and ride gentle donkeys, eternally. But, it was not so in the beginning, for John Noble spent countless hours restoring this whimsical creation and when it was finished, he stood back and "was astounded by the change I had wrought...now it was splendid, dignified; its colors harmonious, its proportions felicitous". Indeed.
The Folly is home to numerous wooden and china dollies, and do not miss the terriffic Evans & Cartwright table and chairs.

Measures: 15" tall x 22" wide x 11" deep

$9800.00

25-1/2" German wax-over Papier-mâché with wonderful bright blue sleep-eyes, lovely painting, pierced ears, and her original wig. On her original body with wax-over limbs including fabulous molded high-button boots, she wears a classic drop waist dress of navy silk faille with details that include a cream faille sash, tatted lace, and red silk bows. Her matching chapeau is the perfect finishing touch on this charming early child.

Please click here to view "au naturel" details

$1495.00

To us, Nina Coultis, a very rare German papier-mache, looks a bit annoyed in the photos above. Perhaps, that is because she was removed from her shadow box home for her photo shoot. You may notice, that she looks much more calm in the photos below, where she was re-installed in her sanctuary, with its rose-printed paper, and wavy glass front.
A very rare example who stands seven and one-half inches tall, Nina boasts lovely, glowing paint, nicely painted features and the extremely rare addition of applied human hair curls and painted hair in a rare brown color.
Nina's body is the standard milliner's model variety of stuffed leather with carved wooden limbs featuring paper bands. In this case, she wears pink painted-on slippers, which coordinate with her original dress of dusty pink muslin and tulle. A delicate lace cap adorns her pretty head.
At one time part of a museum collection, which we know due to the catalog number on the reverse, obviously, that museum's loss is your gain.
Nina Coultis can't wait to make your acquaintance.

$3900.00

Beautifully presented in an oval wooden bandbox, is a classic German Papier-mache with a fancy molded hairstyle, and the more unusual brown-painted eyes. Although there is crazing over the shoulderhead, her features and evident and expressive.
On the classic leather milliner's model-type body with red paper bands, and fitted with carved wood arms and legs, she wears a wonderful hand-sewn dress, complete with leg o' mutton sleeves, of crisp, pink and cream printed-cotton, which appears to be original. A matching bonnet is simply more sweet icing on this magnificent cake!

Measures: 10-1/4" tall

$1695.00

No apologies, frankly, we are quite particular about the condition of the early dolls we offer. This amazing "French" Papier-mache easily makes the cut – as she is near pristine. This eight and three-quarter inch beauty came to us housed in this early box with its lace paper edging– that fact may help account for her remarkable condition. Featuring lovely paint upon her shoulderhead and wooden limbs, note she also bears "pierced ears", although she has lost her original earrings over time – but they could be easily replaced. On a typical leather milliner's model body with blue paper strips, she "wears" black-painted carved slippers upon her feet.
Luckily, she has held onto her matching capelet, muff and bonnet, all of the palest gray mohair. Those accessories coordinate beautifully with her classic dress in a pleasing silk stripe which is entirely hand-sewn.
A marvelous doll, and an equally marvelous opportunity for particular collectors – like us.

$1150.00