A rarely seen French doll automaton, by Francois Gaultier. This small doll is standing atop a red velvet base which contains the music box, and mechanical works which creates the movement of the doll.
The doll is about 10\" tall, and has a bisque head and hands. A brown human hair wig is styled into braids at the sides, and a roll at the back. The distinctive facial painting is clearly French, with dramatic feathered brows, theatrically painted eyelashes, curvy red lips, and the outstandingly beautiful blue paperweight eyes. There is an \"F\" incised at the base of the throat, and markings on the back of the neck, \"F G\" in a cartouche, scrolled at each end. I did not remove the wig and pate.
The doll\'s \"body\" is formed of an unknown material; through the costume, it feels like a wire base. The arms and legs are wire; the false lower legs can be elevated to reveal the wire. I did not undress the doll to examine the body. The costume is a blue and ivory silky one piece outfit, with lacy cuffs and lacy accents at the knees. There was probably a lacy collar at the neck at one time. The false lower legs are encased in brown stockings, and be-ribboned shoes. The right hand holds a hoop, rusty, and tied with ribbons; the left hand holds a wooden rod.
The base is 3 inches high, and covered in red velvet that is rubbed off in many places. A gold color key winds the mechanism at the back. When the button at the side of the box is pulled out, a twinkly melody plays, as the doll swings the hoop up and down, nods the head up and down, and slides the right foot back and forth.
A remarkable piece of workmanship, and a most unusual doll that is seldom seen, and only rarely up for sale. I am selling a large collection of antique bisques, vintage compositions, and vinyl Madame Alexander dolls over the next few months.
This doll will be double-boxed for shipment, and postal insurance provided.
Email with questions and thank you for looking.
