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Exceptional 16” ( 41cm ) Martha Chase cloth doll model known to collectors as their “ Bobbed Hair Girl “, circa mid to late 1910s, produced to illustrate that prior social trends and earlier acceptances that ladies and girls MUST have longer more intricate hairstyles were now in flux, and those earlier “acceptable “ modes, were beginning to “ adapt to the time “, now allowing for more moderate and relaxing lifestyles, thus resulting in a shorter more manageable style slowly becoming the norm. As with most all Martha Chase dolls, this doll has a solid one- piece head and shoulder, molded from an outer oilcloth covering then individually painted. The lower arms and legs are similarly designed with the torso, and upper arms and legs covered by a shiny sateen fabric. Floppy sewn joints allow some movement and bending at the elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees. This doll retains all of her original painted finish, almost as if having been made just yesterday. Even the hair color is distinctive as it is slightly more “ caramel-colored “ than the usually more often found varieties and shades of yellow. Clothing and shoes are all of -the- period and could be original. When removing them for photos to show undressed, they fit so tightly they were somewhat difficult to remove and/or unbutton, a sure characteristic of clothing assumed to be original. It would be difficult to find another much nicer and perhaps a bargain at only……….…US$ 650.
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9 ½”, ( 24cm ) miniature Lenci ( so-called “ Mascot “), with typical wide-eyed “ surprised “ expression , all original with two identification labels, in excellent condition with barely minimal age and light exposure to exterior cotton gauze clothing and still retaining a bit of the original crinkly associated texture. The ivory- colored ankle-waist dress has a high-waist printed silk sash which also ties in back draping almost to the ankles. There is a similar oversized silk bow covering the wig which is lovely strawberry-blond mohair of tight long vertical ringlet curls. Applied to skirt are felt pink and green leafed roses. There are pleated gauze puffy upper arm sleeves, a similarly constructed “ Bertha-collar “ and matching trim encircling entire base off the skirt portion of the dress. Plentiful undergarments and pantaloons can be found under the dress with white felt slippers covering the feet. In lower back of skirt edge is affixed a black cloth folded banner reading “ Ars Lenci , made in Italy, Torino, New York, Paris , London”, Also present, a round paper tag with embossed foil saying “Lenci Torino, Made in Italy “…………US$ 195.
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When one is involved in a specialized field for many years, what tends to excite and amaze is a new revelation of an object never noticed previously, or at least a variation of a known entity not commonly exposed or acknowledged. Such is the case when we found this 14” ( 35cm ) German cloth doll with molded and painted cloth swivel head on a five piece cloth body with articulation at shoulders and diagonal joints at hips, simply dressed in a white linen shirt, short black felt knee length pants with floral design suspenders, green socks and black shoes. There is head seam that stretches from the bottom neck socket upward behind one ear and extending across and back down the other side terminating equally, and another starting at neck in back center moving upward, crossing the other seam and stopping at about point of forehead at edge of painted hair. The head is heavily painted but in overall very good condition with no sign of repaint or repair. Upon first sight one’s first impression is “ Kather Kruse ?” but based on one’s knowledge and instinct an assumption quickly abandoned but then what? It turns out that about mid 1920s the German doll/toy manufacturer BING was sued by the K Kruse company for alleged copyright infringement and thereby forced to cease production of a doll Kruse thought too similar to their own registered and protected doll designs. This lovely boy appears to be one of those disputed examples and after closely observing one can understand why a lawsuit ensued. Accordingly, we are thrilled to now have the opportunity to offer this rare doll for sale. In doing research online we have only come across one other example previously sold via an online format years ago- exactly the same type doll but dressed as a girl in German regional attire. She too had similarly painted hair but wore a hat that was integral to the realistic regional clothing. Clothes are very tight to the body no not removed for photography. For full disclosure , the shoes have been replaced. He came with only one original black felt shoe that matches the trousers but it is so uniquely constructed and “SO WIDE“ it would be nearly impossible to find a mate. That lone original shoe will be provided to the buyer of course. An accomplished seamstress/tailor might be able to make one but at least the replacement shoes are old! For context, to explain how big his feet are, the shoes now on him were previously on a 29” German bisque girl doll and still they just barely fit this 14” rare cloth boy!………………………….US$ 695.
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16” all cloth so-called “ topsy-turvy “ doll with one face being that of a white child and when turned completely upside down a black child on the other. Each presentation has a painted cloth face,, separate set of arms and complete outer costume , each different in color and material. When completely covered and in upright position each doll appears complete but when reversed the head of one becomes the hidden torso of the other. Condition is overall very good but with slight fading and surface dust on faces, especially the painted features of the black girl. One finds many types of these by commercially made manufacturers, primarily by Bruckner, but this example is either “ mot-her made “ , or perhaps by a small unknown regional company……………US$ 175.
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13” ( 33cm ) Genuine Lenci cloth doll in the original box with MANY other cloth and paper tags attributing her to that firm. She is from the 1980s Lenci re-issue period and in the box is a lengthy certificate “ ATTESTO di AUTENTICITA` “, dated January 1983, and autographed by the firm’s president and owner at the time Beppe Garella. This particular doll in this distinct costume is named “ Aurelia “. In her right hand she is holding a very nice and realistically portrayed white felt goose. Everything is in overall very good condition with just a slight spot of dust on nose tip……US$ 45.
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Interesting 6” ( 15cm ) cloth doll portraying an elder lady with facial features achieved by hand-stitching thin silky cloth to crate the nose, eyes, mouth wrinkle and jowls to create this effect. Wig is intricately created using white mohair and gathering into a huge bun in back, hands are also rendered realistically by stitches, and all clothing and undergarments hand made as well as leather shoes. Exact maker unknown but to draw reference as to style there are similarities to those created by the French doll artists and producers RAVCA but my mentioning this name we do not mean to infer this doll was made by them, only to denote a style technique….US$ 85.
RICHARD SAXMAN ANTIQUES 