October 23rd 2010 Doll (18)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2010
Leo Moss was a black American folk doll artist, untrained, from Macon, Ga., who worked in the early 1900s. It is speculated that he made fewer than 100 dolls. All were individually sculpted from papier-mâché, supposedly wallpaper scraps. This doll has a socket head incised L.M. with molded black curly hair, inset glass eyes, pouty mouth and crying expression with two tears. Leo Moss dolls with tears are particularly desirable, as it is said that these were made to express his sadness after his wife left him. Cloth body with composition arms and legs with label sewn on chest “Rex 1912.” Very cute sailor suit looks original, stockings and antique shoes. Usually dolls were named after the person they were made for. This doll was from the collection of Lenon Hoyt and was displayed in her “Aunt Len’s Doll Museum” in New York City, and sold at Sotheby’s in 1994. For more information on Leo Moss, just Google.
Condition: (Excellent).
Item Dimensions: 17" T.