Collection of Fourteen Carved and Polychrome-painted Gesso Historical Costume Dolls

Description:

Collection of Fourteen Carved and Polychrome-painted Gesso Historical Costume Dolls, covering a wide range of European historical dress, including a male "Medieval" doll, a female "13th Century" doll, male and female "Pilgrim" dolls, two female "1725" and "1740" dolls, "Queen Elizabeth," "Sir Walter Raleigh," "King Henry VIII," and five additional unlabeled dolls, all on small wooden pedestal bases, ht. to 16 1/2 in. including bases.

N.B. These dolls were made in France in 1860 for a production called Heritage Colony American, that was given for an envoy and a delegation from the United States that had traveled to France to secure financial assistance for the Civil War. The dolls were created to design the costumes for the production, which was a tribute to the United States by the King of France. In 1933 the dolls were sent to the United States and given to a theater group through the WPA, which added the dolls' legs and stands.
Estimate $750-1,000


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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