***Rare Early #109 Lenci Boy***
Fabulous Pieced Felt Outfit
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a THREE-DAY listing!
If you collect Lencis, you will know immediately that this is an extremely rare boy model # 109.
This model is probably from the early 1920’s.He is almost 24\" tall and has all the typical Lenci characteristics:big side-glancing brown eyes, a perfect rosebud mouth with the trademark two-tone lips with two lighter highlights on the lower lip, zigzag stitching at the back of the neck, hard-stuffed felt-covered torso, arms and legs, full strawberry blondefrizzymohair wig, hands with the second and third fingers joined and feet with the toes indicated by stitching.He has a swivel head and is fully jointed and poseable.
He is wearing afabulousoriginal early Lenci outfit which itself is a work of art.
The pieced felt long-sleeved top with upturned collar is tan with a very intricate geometric grid of light blue and rust-colored felt.The tiny strips comprising the grid are only 1/4 inch (blue) and 1/8 inch (rust) in width!!!
The trousers button and the side on each hip (!) with a single small felt-covered button.When both sides are unbuttoned, they reveal two small three-holed milk glass buttons fastening the waistband further.
The quality of the design and level of skill of the seamstress who made this outfitindicates a very high qualitydoll costume. In true Lenci fashion, this outfit, created early in the company’s history, was obviously intended as a high-end article of doll clothing, the likes of which I can practically guarantee you will never see again.
Condition:The #109 is in incredible shape.His face is perfect, original and unretouched. There is only a slight rub to the tip of his nose and a bit of paint loss on his upper lip.
His face, torso and legs are free of any stains but there is overall light shelf dust and his feet show staining from his soft brown leather shoes.
Hiskinky blond mohairisrich andfull, although it could do with agentle styling.
There is some felt loss to the backs of both hands and the tips of both thumbs, both of which appear to be from heavy playing, perhaps with the doll being held by both hands.
The thumbs make it appear that he may have at one time been holding a prop – perhaps ski poles? – which were attached by a thread.
His pale blue trousers are faded (more so in the front) and have some moth nibbles.
He is missing his socks and one leather shoe.
This early Lenci and exquisite outfit are a perfect marriage. He is a dazzling Lenci creation by a Lenci artisan and the outfit is an equally amazing work of art by a like-mindedgenius. Together, they would make an incredible addition to anyone’s Lenci or cloth doll collection.
Whether you are a beginning cloth doll or Lenci collector, or an advanced Lenci lover or even a museum, I hope that this doll and outfit will find an appreciative and loving new home.
Please check out my other sales later this week for
more great Lenci items.
Good luck and happy offerding!
