May 16, 2018 Toys, Dolls, & Figural Cast Iron
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/16/2018
Wonderful family doll with lovely and perfect bisque socket head, with just a little whiteness to the nose tip, incised “Bru Jne 5,” featuring multistroked light brown eyebrows, light mauve eye shadow, luminous blue glass hand-blown eyes with a tiny lower left eyelash fleck, closed mouth with lip shading strokes and pierced ears, with a tiny flake on one hole. Bébé still retains her original cork pate and light brown human hair wig with full bangs and long curls. Her original wood and composition jointed body, which Bru started using in 1891, has quite a bit of play wear especially on the toes, fingers and hip joints, so you can tell this was a well-loved and played with doll. She wears her original cotton factory chemise with blue satin and lace trim which has some age soil, but is in very good condition. She is being sold by the family of the original owner, who was Ruth Colby of Montclair, NJ, born in 1893. Full provenance is attached including photos of Ruth and her home, which still stands at 74 Clinton Ave., as well as a short biography. Accompanying her are an original red on white cotton print dress (hole in back) and half slip, 2 mismatched French shoes (one badly worn), black stockings in poor condition, and a wool satin-trimmed cape. Additional items stored with her are a blue satin sash, remnant of embroidered and tucked fabric (could be used to make an additional dress), parasol for a child or large doll, red wool bonnet, and brown wool cape (moth holes in the latter two items). It’s a serendipity to find an all-original estate doll with documentation!
Item Dimensions: 16" T.