Antique English poured wax dolls

17" RARE ENGLISH POURED WAX MALE BY MEECH OF LONDON

Very rare & extremely desirable doll by many counts---male wax dolls are very rare & this one is undeniably the work of Herbert John Meech of London. Although unsigned, he bears the family resemblance of dolls by this maker--strong, rather sulky features, & fine eyes with heavy, tooled lids. Other indicators which attribute this wonderful doll to Meech are the poured wax limbs, whose hands have closed fingers, dimpled knuckles, & "marked life-line in the palm" ! All limbs are beautifully-formed & are in perfect condition. Orig. cloth body & deeply-molded plate. Beautiful, sculpted face with his wide blue glass eyes, & soft colouring; his dark blonde hair is magnificently styled & carefully placed strand-by-strand inserted into his wax head & is thick, full, & realistic-looking as well as very stylish for his times---the 1850s. It is our good fortune that he has his orig, Meech costume---a two-piece royal-blue velvet coat with front buttons & lace-trimmed sleeves over matching pants ornamented with stylish buttons meandering up the sides of his short trousers/knickers; also lace-trimmed. In studying Meech, I have discovered that they took great pains with their orig. costumes & orig. Meech costumes are found trimmed with little shoulder bows----his are still intact on both shoulders of his orig. jacket! He wears his original pantaloon undergarment beneath his trousers; black silk stockings & oilcloth shoes are replaced but look perfect on him. I also had the most splendid early 1850s period man's dark black/blue fitted frockcoat with wide lace-trimmed collar & lace-trimmed sleeves, which buttons up the front with little gold buttons. The coat is well-cut & expertly sewn for a fine gentleman doll. I could not resist adding it to his ensemble as it made him look so dashing & looked so nice with his original velvet ensemble. A fine, fine doll who belongs in a museum as we are sure not to see the likes of him again; just a magnificent early English poured wax doll by a highly-respected & highly-sought maker. You may click on the picture to view different images of the doll. Price $2995.

32" SIMON & HALBIG/C.M. BERGMANN

Beautiful & choice large girl by Simon & Halbig for C. M. Bergmann. Smooth, creamy bisque with crisp facial modelling, desirable, soft pure colouring & delicately-tinted cheeks, o/m with four upper teeth, pcd. ears, molded & feathered brows over wonderfully-sculpted, deeply-set dark blue, spiral-threaded sleep eyes framed by lavishly-ptd. upper & lower lashes. Beautiful strawberrry-blonde mohair wig with side part & thick spiral curls appears original to her. Orig. sturdy jtd. comp. body in very fine cond. in the orig. patina with one finger reglued. Costume comprises antique chemise with scalloped hem, vintage, lace-trimmed pantaloons, antq. cotton ribbed socks, her orig. buttery leather shoes with buckles, topped by a delicate, frothy antique whitework dress with ruched, smocked bodice atop embroidered floral waistband, & lacy, short angel sleeves matching the collar of her lovely ruffled portrait neckline. An elaborate antique bonnet ornamented with patterned cream silk ribbon trim, edged by lace tiers, & finished with a cluster of antq. millinery florals gives the finishing touch to her gentle, angelic presentation. A stunning large doll! You may click on the picture to view different images of the doll. Price $1175.

19" PARIS BEBE WITH CHARACTER FACE

An exceptionally lovely Paris bebe evincing the sought-after "character" look that sets her apart. After winning his lawsuit against Danel, a former Jumeau employee, Jumeau redesigned the Paris bebe mold in order to create a distinctive new face from the stolen Tete Jumeau mold that Danel had used to create & market his own "Paris Bebe". Made from 1892 on by Jumeau, this doll is a beauty with pale bisque, softest hint of cheek & lip colour, closed-mouth with white space between lips, deep amber paperweight eyes, black eyeliner, & luxuriously-painted brows & lashes. Pcd. ears with antique gold filigree hoop earrings, orig. cork pate, & antique French auburn mohair wig with topknot and soft curls. Fully-marked head & orig. body in the orig. finish(some minor touch-ups) with the blue stamp "Paris Bebe Depose". Lovely antique costume comprises a French cotton dress with charming print, richly-appointed with cream lace accents, orig. pantaloons with heavy cutwork lace, fancy antique chemise, old black cotton openwork socks & antique black French-style shoes(need laces) An antique wired bonnet of frothy, layered gossamer chiffon adorns her head, and its' colour matches the print in her cream dress. A stunning doll with the most appealing, innocent look! You may click on the picture to view different images of the doll. Price $5995.

31" MUSEUM-QUALITY EARLY ENGLISH POURED WAX CHILD

One of the most captivating poured wax dolls I have had the pleasure to own; her ethereal beauty is remarkable & she is in mint condition, making her worthy of the finest museum or private collection. Unusually large size with poured wax turned shoulderhead & limbs of very fine detail. Head is slightly turned, neck & shoulders are formed with exquisite detail to indicate a young child. Beautiful colouring with softly-tinted realistic complexion that glows; long blonde mohair individually-inserted into the wax flows onto her shoulders in soft waves with bangs. Blue glass stationary eyes, shapely closed mouth. Orig. sturdy, clean polished-cotton body with wax limbs attached by orig. string & metal grommets & depicting realistic nails & detail. Layers of original undergarments, cotton openwork stockings, antique leather shoes, & a lavish, gossamer lace dress overlaying a pink polished-cotton underdress. Lace dress is lavishly embroidered & decorated. A matching antique ornate lace & ribbon bonnet frames her face beautifully & an antique strand of "pearls" adds to her costume. Exquisite unmarked early English doll c1855-65 with the face & bearing of an angel. You may click on the picture to view different images of the doll. Price $3595.

24" KLEY & HAHN "SPECIAL" GERMAN CHILD

An exceptionally pretty example of this nice quality German doll made by Kley & Hahn, she is collection-ready! Bisque is of very fine quality, enhanced by her soft colouring & deep, facial modelling featuring large, doe-like brown sleep eyes fringed with lushly-ptd. lashes. Brows are molded & feathered; she has open mouth with upper teeth, & a thick antique, brunette human hair with curls & center part. Head is fully-marked as is her great condition, original jtd. comp. body in the orig. patina, bearing the Kley & Hahn circular red stamp. Her hands look to have been replaced as they are a different colour than the body & do not move very freely as the ball joints seem to be a snug fit but this is not noticeable when she is dressed. One finger has had an old repair and has been reglued. She wears an antique chemise, replaced socks & lace-up boots; topped by a very pretty, full antique whitework dress with lacy, openwork bretelles & bodice. The dress has long puffed sleeves & is in the style of turn-of-the-century children's clothing. A vintage woven staw hat in lovely shades of spring green, coral, cream, & black, trimmed with black grosgrain ribbon & black net complete her innocent look & yet make her look appropriately fashionable. A very good quality doll by respected German dollmakers. You may click on the picture to view different images of the doll. Price $599.