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THE
JOHN DARCY NOBLE COLLECTION |
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The
Colonel and Esmerelda
have not always been together, but somewhere in time they found
each other...and together they shall remain. John told the story of
these dolls in an article that he penned entitled "The Love
That Came Lately".
Esmerelda, an English wax, was the first doll that John ever possessed. He found her in an antique shop during the war years in London...in 1943 to be exact, while he was an art student. He described Esmerelda as developing, over time, "a vague dreaminess, which was very lovable. Anyway, I loved her." John first saw "The Colonel", a German wax-over, in 1961 during a visit to a friend in Maryland. The astute hostess knew that John harbored a fondness for boy dolls, so she packed his assigned guest room with fellows...but one dominated the room. John's hostess related that she was not at all surprised that the little fellow might have that power, for he was the childhood toy of a very fierce real Colonel and the little doll was something of an obsession for the man. Eventually, the doll-version of the Colonel was made a gift to John via another friend. When the Colonel and Esmerelda were brought face to face, it was love at first sight. According to John, "as with humans, so with dolls; there is unaccountable chemistry in their relationships, and their personalities are altered by their proximities to each other. Together, they share a sunset glow which is irresistible." Esmerelda measures 15" tall, while The Colonel is 17" in height. SOLD "The Love That Came Lately" appeared in DOLLS magazine in the Jan.-Feb. 1989 issue. |
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| Elegantly
attired for a ball that she attended in 1860, this petite (8" tall)
China will certainly delight
the other guests at the party. They will most likely turn to witness
her entrance and they will be greeted by her sweet smile. Did you notice
that she wears long, white kid gloves on her china arms?
The elegant design of her overskirt is open to reveal a panel of brilliant, coral silk damask. Note also her bead necklace and fan. There is an old reglue to her right china foot, just at the top of her black painted slipper. SOLD See page 24 in "Selected Writings of John Darcy Noble" for a photograph. |
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The
Exotic Cymbal Player
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The
artistry is evident in this marvelous German mechanical toy that dates
from 1880. The facial modeling of his papier-mache head is fantastic
and his paint finish is mostly original. He wears his original smock
and pants. When his tummy is pressed, he crashes his cymbals and his
head turns from left to right. $1595.00 |
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Reinforced
wax dolls
are inherently fragile...vulnerable may be a better choice of word.
Despite her vulnerability, this graceful doll is a survivor, and remains
in untouched conditon. Though the surface scars of a long life may be
visible, her merits outweigh them. She wears a marvelous blue and white cotton print dress, lovely underwear, a lace bonnet decorated with blue silk bows and ribbon and a locket that contains a wisp of hair styled into a Prince of Wales plume. Under her bonnet lies a head of fine, inserted, light brown hair. A product of England, circa 1865. Measures: 18" tall. SOLD |
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Black
Bisque Doll in an ethnic costume. The colors are brilliant and the originality unsurpassed for a tiny doll such as this 4-3/4" example. A petite charmer from far away and long ago. SOLD |
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