Important Portrait-type Carved Wood Doll

Description:

Important Portrait-type Carved Wood Doll, Germany, c. 1820, artist painted gesso over carved wood head, brown painted hair with finely brush stroked tendrils of hair in font of carved exposed ears, carved textured hair with two molded and carved large braids surrounding a large red and gilded removable carved wood hair comb, finely brush stroked hair at the nape of the neck, brows, and lashes, with tranquil light blue painted eyes, carved nose, closed mouth with painted teeth, shaped chin, long slender neck, integral upper torso with molded breasts and painted nipples with blushing, fully painted jointed body with swivel jointed waist, long arms with jointed elbows and finely carved hands including unusual left hand carving of index and thumb carved touching, long slender jointed legs with carved and painted blue slippers; wearing original printed cotton dress with lace collar, underclothes and pantaloons, (excellent),ht. 39 in.

Provenance: Mr. Wright is believed to have acquired this remarkable doll via private treaty sale at Sotheby's London in the 1980s. Undocumented anecdotal history purports that this incredible painted and carved doll was commissioned by a member of Dutch Royalty.
Estimate $40,000-60,000

Keywords