Doll
Except otherwise stated, all results below include the premium.
> 1867 Rochard
2018 SOLD for $ 333K by Theriault's
The miniaturization of photography by shrinking was invented by Dancer in 1852. The sharpness of photos on glass invites for further innovations. In 1859 Dagron modifies a Stanhope lens to obtain a flat surface on which he glues a microphotograph. The lens offers a magnification ratio of x100 to x150. Dagron embeds his devices within pieces of jewelry.
In 1867 Dagron demonstrates the possibility of reducing the glass view down to about 1 mm while retaining a considerable amount of information in the image. He develops during the siege of Paris in 1870 the transmission of microphotographs by pigeons.
Rochard filed two patents for applying Dagron's invention to dolls. The Rochard-Jouets identification on these documents suggests that he was not associated with Dagron's company but was instead a competitor.
The first of these patents, in 1867, transforms a doll's bust into an optical toy. The head includes a kaleidoscope to be watched through the slit of the mouth. The back of the head is open for carrying the ambient lighting. The upper chest is decorated with a necklace made of Stanhope lenses whose metal frames are inlaid in the porcelain. It is also lit from behind. The second Rochard patent, in 1868, describes a tool for the industrial manufacture of his lenses.
The observer's position in front of the doll's mouth and chest was uncomfortable. It is likely that most of the highly rare Rochard dolls were equipped very early with a wig and a dress that obscured the lighting holes and thus canceled the optical effects. The bodies are attributed to Jumeau or Barrois.
It seems that Rochard's activity ceased around 1875. His dolls could not benefit from the electric lighting invented in 1879 by Edison.
On January 6, 2018, Theriault's sold for $ 333K from a lower estimate of $ 80K a 76 cm high Rochard doll with a rotating head, lot 17. It still has 24 of its 28 original 1 x 1.4 mm Stanhope views. The kaleidoscope is missing. This doll is narrated by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video shared by Theriault's Dolls.
In 1867 Dagron demonstrates the possibility of reducing the glass view down to about 1 mm while retaining a considerable amount of information in the image. He develops during the siege of Paris in 1870 the transmission of microphotographs by pigeons.
Rochard filed two patents for applying Dagron's invention to dolls. The Rochard-Jouets identification on these documents suggests that he was not associated with Dagron's company but was instead a competitor.
The first of these patents, in 1867, transforms a doll's bust into an optical toy. The head includes a kaleidoscope to be watched through the slit of the mouth. The back of the head is open for carrying the ambient lighting. The upper chest is decorated with a necklace made of Stanhope lenses whose metal frames are inlaid in the porcelain. It is also lit from behind. The second Rochard patent, in 1868, describes a tool for the industrial manufacture of his lenses.
The observer's position in front of the doll's mouth and chest was uncomfortable. It is likely that most of the highly rare Rochard dolls were equipped very early with a wig and a dress that obscured the lighting holes and thus canceled the optical effects. The bodies are attributed to Jumeau or Barrois.
It seems that Rochard's activity ceased around 1875. His dolls could not benefit from the electric lighting invented in 1879 by Edison.
On January 6, 2018, Theriault's sold for $ 333K from a lower estimate of $ 80K a 76 cm high Rochard doll with a rotating head, lot 17. It still has 24 of its 28 original 1 x 1.4 mm Stanhope views. The kaleidoscope is missing. This doll is narrated by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video shared by Theriault's Dolls.
A New World Record for an Antique Doll Achieved January 6, 2018 https://t.co/HotACIRoik #stanhope #microphotography #rochard pic.twitter.com/O5saiWVe8s
— Theriault's Auctions (@TheriaultsDolls) January 12, 2018
1890s Jumeau Fantastique
2014 SOLD for $ 285K by Theriault's
The Jumeau company dominates the market of the French doll from the 1840s to the point that the early models did not need to be signed and are not easy to identify now. A significant care is brought from the beginning to the quality of the clothing.
Under the management of Emile-Louis Jumeau, the founder's son, the models are diversified. The innovation of the unbreakable Jumeau doll is popular among the young users and their parents. Jumeau understands that the head should be pretty. The dolls in this new realistic trend are called Bébés from 1879.
The Jumeau Triste model is one of the earliest examples of Bébés. To facilitate the production, the head is specially designed to be used after painting either as a girl or as a boy.
The Série Fantastique, introduced in 1891 or 1892 with model numbers from 200, is a curiosity. The new small demoiselles are reworked in the eyes and mouth to show a cheerful or cheeky attitude that disqualifies them for being used as a toy.
At that time, Jumeau employs 200 people and produces about 100,000 dolls per year. The production of the Série Fantastique will remain extremely low as it is unambiguously shown in the 1899 inventory accompanying the termination of business of the Jumeau company. The intention of Jumeau could not in this context be to look for a profit. The Jumeau Fantastique is instead artistic, anticipating by two decades the Albert Marque dolls dressed by Margaine-Lacroix.
The 201 with an exuberant laughter is one of the rarest. One of them 61 cm high with head size 11 was sold for $ 285K by Theriault's on November 22, 2014.
On July 26, 2016, Theriault's listed three Jumeau dolls from the 200s series. They are narrated in the video. The results below are before fees.
Lot 18 is an interesting and insolent tongue showing girl 51 cm high with head size 9. It was sold for $ 165K. Lot 19 is a happy laughing girl with half closed eyes, in the same size. It was sold for $ 65K. Lot 17 is a tall adult Lady head size 11 assembled in 1905. At that time the SFBJ continued to use the elements manufactured by Jumeau along with his brand. It was sold for $ 42K.
Under the management of Emile-Louis Jumeau, the founder's son, the models are diversified. The innovation of the unbreakable Jumeau doll is popular among the young users and their parents. Jumeau understands that the head should be pretty. The dolls in this new realistic trend are called Bébés from 1879.
The Jumeau Triste model is one of the earliest examples of Bébés. To facilitate the production, the head is specially designed to be used after painting either as a girl or as a boy.
The Série Fantastique, introduced in 1891 or 1892 with model numbers from 200, is a curiosity. The new small demoiselles are reworked in the eyes and mouth to show a cheerful or cheeky attitude that disqualifies them for being used as a toy.
At that time, Jumeau employs 200 people and produces about 100,000 dolls per year. The production of the Série Fantastique will remain extremely low as it is unambiguously shown in the 1899 inventory accompanying the termination of business of the Jumeau company. The intention of Jumeau could not in this context be to look for a profit. The Jumeau Fantastique is instead artistic, anticipating by two decades the Albert Marque dolls dressed by Margaine-Lacroix.
The 201 with an exuberant laughter is one of the rarest. One of them 61 cm high with head size 11 was sold for $ 285K by Theriault's on November 22, 2014.
On July 26, 2016, Theriault's listed three Jumeau dolls from the 200s series. They are narrated in the video. The results below are before fees.
Lot 18 is an interesting and insolent tongue showing girl 51 cm high with head size 9. It was sold for $ 165K. Lot 19 is a happy laughing girl with half closed eyes, in the same size. It was sold for $ 65K. Lot 17 is a tall adult Lady head size 11 assembled in 1905. At that time the SFBJ continued to use the elements manufactured by Jumeau along with his brand. It was sold for $ 42K.
1909 K*R Doll
1
2014 SOLD for £ 240K by Bonhams
In 1886 . and Reinhardt found a company for making dolls under the K * R brand name. They are settled in Thuringia not far from Simon and Halbig with whom they will have a fruitful cooperation.
In 1909 K * R launch a new line of products devoted to dolls with realistic heads. They register the denomination Charakterpuppen and prepare a series of molds numbered from 100 to 114. In this first series, 100 is a baby of six months and the others are young children. 113 is not known.
The supplier of models 100 to 109 is a sculptor specializing in children's busts, Arthur Lewin-Funcke. For example, 106 is his nephew Heinz and 104-105 is one of his daughters, Karin, respectively laughing and friendly. 103-108-109 show a little girl in three different attitudes. 103 is considered as a portrait of Karin as a serious girl.
K * R made very early a choice between these models. 100, 101, 109, 112 and 114 had an abundant production while the other numbers of the first series did not go beyond the prototype stage. It is interesting to note that the facial features of the most popular models make them easy to dress indifferently as a boy or a girl. 101 is Peter and Marie. 114, based on the portrait of a grandson of Reinhardt, is Hans and Gretchen.
A sale by Bonhams on September 24, 2014 included all K * R models from 101 to 109. The only known specimen of the 108, 61 cm high, was sold for £ 240K. A K * R 105 was sold for £ 170K.
In 1909 K * R launch a new line of products devoted to dolls with realistic heads. They register the denomination Charakterpuppen and prepare a series of molds numbered from 100 to 114. In this first series, 100 is a baby of six months and the others are young children. 113 is not known.
The supplier of models 100 to 109 is a sculptor specializing in children's busts, Arthur Lewin-Funcke. For example, 106 is his nephew Heinz and 104-105 is one of his daughters, Karin, respectively laughing and friendly. 103-108-109 show a little girl in three different attitudes. 103 is considered as a portrait of Karin as a serious girl.
K * R made very early a choice between these models. 100, 101, 109, 112 and 114 had an abundant production while the other numbers of the first series did not go beyond the prototype stage. It is interesting to note that the facial features of the most popular models make them easy to dress indifferently as a boy or a girl. 101 is Peter and Marie. 114, based on the portrait of a grandson of Reinhardt, is Hans and Gretchen.
A sale by Bonhams on September 24, 2014 included all K * R models from 101 to 109. The only known specimen of the 108, 61 cm high, was sold for £ 240K. A K * R 105 was sold for £ 170K.
2
2013 SOLD for $ 210K by Theriault's
A K * R boy 104 in a flawless original condition was sold for $ 210K by Theriault's on January 12, 2013 from a lower estimate of $ 110K. A girl 104, 48 cm high, was sold for $ 65K before fees by the same auction house on July 22, 2019.
1915 by MARQUE for MARGAINE-LACROIX
Intro
Jeanne Margaine-Lacroix led since 1899 the couture workshop created by her mother Madame Margaine. Jeanne was one of the first who designed dresses without corset, as early as 1908, slimming the feminine silhouette. On the following year, Diaghilev's Ballets Russes began in Paris their first international tour. Fashion changed forever, with Madeleine Vionnet and Paul Poiret.
In 1915 Margaine-Lacroix conceived in her shop the project of an exhibition of dolls with expressive bébé's heads for which she will realize the costumes. The dolls 56 cm high were made by the Manufacture de Sèvres from molds signed by Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in children's busts. The bisque ceramic provides a nice skin-like matte finish.
About one hundred pieces were made. They are serialized on the head in red ink. Some dolls still retain a pencil title on the foot. No list survives. The variety of clothes for girls and boys, provincial or exotic, royal or peasant, demonstrate the expertise of Margaine-Lacroix in the history of costume.
Her project was unnoticed and not documented in period, possibly due to war time. Moreover she did not appreciate the great cultural quality of her project. After closing out the exhibition, she offered the dolls for sale with a limited success, and the whole set will never be reassembled. Less than twenty are located.
In 1915 Margaine-Lacroix conceived in her shop the project of an exhibition of dolls with expressive bébé's heads for which she will realize the costumes. The dolls 56 cm high were made by the Manufacture de Sèvres from molds signed by Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in children's busts. The bisque ceramic provides a nice skin-like matte finish.
About one hundred pieces were made. They are serialized on the head in red ink. Some dolls still retain a pencil title on the foot. No list survives. The variety of clothes for girls and boys, provincial or exotic, royal or peasant, demonstrate the expertise of Margaine-Lacroix in the history of costume.
Her project was unnoticed and not documented in period, possibly due to war time. Moreover she did not appreciate the great cultural quality of her project. After closing out the exhibition, she offered the dolls for sale with a limited success, and the whole set will never be reassembled. Less than twenty are located.
1
Lorraine 94
2015 SOLD for $ 310K by Theriault's
On January 10, 2015, Theriault's sold for $ 310K from a lower estimate of $ 160K Lorraine, number 94 in the series signed by Albert Marque, lot 17 in the catalog of Theriault's also shared on the bidding platform Proxibid.
The garment is inspired from Louise de Lorraine who was the last queen of France of the Valois dynasty. Her sumptuous costume belongs to both categories of regionalism and royals.
It is the second of two dolls discussed by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video shared by the auction house :
The garment is inspired from Louise de Lorraine who was the last queen of France of the Valois dynasty. Her sumptuous costume belongs to both categories of regionalism and royals.
It is the second of two dolls discussed by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video shared by the auction house :
2
Persian 7
2016 SOLD for $ 240K before fees by Theriault's
In 1909 Diaghilev chooses Paris for the very first season of his Ballets Russes. The choreographies are directed by Fokine, and Bakst designs the sets and costumes. The exotic inspiration mingles Russia, Middle East and antiquity. The unprecedented sensual audacity of Scheherazade, to the music by Rimsky-Korsakov, brings an immense success. The costumes created by Bakst are made with luxurious fabrics. The shapes are ample, with in particular puffy trousers.
At the same time Poiret sought to pull his style away from the Art Nouveau. The dress without corset which he promoted since 1906 went in the same trend as the Bakst costumes : the creation of clothes liberated from the lines of the body. In 1911 he organized in his private mansion a sumptuous feast on the theme of Persia.
The fashion house Margaine-Lacroix follows that trend. It moved circa 1912 to 19 boulevard Haussmann. The exterior and interior architect is Louis Sue, specialist in artist studios, who had already carried out several projects for Poiret.
The dolls # 7 and # 8, inspired from Bakst's costumes for Scheherazade, are embellished with a gold brocade and with the simulation of pearls and turquoises. With their long hair, they are probably girls. The number 7 is wearing a hat with a tall aigrette.
Purchased together at Margaine-Lacroix during the exhibition, they have long resided in a private American museum where their costumes were both identified as Persian. They are in a near mint condition including their original clothing.
The brunette # 7 was sold for $ 240K before fees from a lower estimate of 180K by Theriault's on January 9, 2016, lot 17. The catalog is linking its costume to the Ballets Russes. This doll is the first one discussed by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video introducing the sale.
Its blonde partner # 8 of the same museum provenance was sold for $ 120K before fees by Theriault's on March 21, 2020, lot 17.
At the same time Poiret sought to pull his style away from the Art Nouveau. The dress without corset which he promoted since 1906 went in the same trend as the Bakst costumes : the creation of clothes liberated from the lines of the body. In 1911 he organized in his private mansion a sumptuous feast on the theme of Persia.
The fashion house Margaine-Lacroix follows that trend. It moved circa 1912 to 19 boulevard Haussmann. The exterior and interior architect is Louis Sue, specialist in artist studios, who had already carried out several projects for Poiret.
The dolls # 7 and # 8, inspired from Bakst's costumes for Scheherazade, are embellished with a gold brocade and with the simulation of pearls and turquoises. With their long hair, they are probably girls. The number 7 is wearing a hat with a tall aigrette.
Purchased together at Margaine-Lacroix during the exhibition, they have long resided in a private American museum where their costumes were both identified as Persian. They are in a near mint condition including their original clothing.
The brunette # 7 was sold for $ 240K before fees from a lower estimate of 180K by Theriault's on January 9, 2016, lot 17. The catalog is linking its costume to the Ballets Russes. This doll is the first one discussed by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video introducing the sale.
Its blonde partner # 8 of the same museum provenance was sold for $ 120K before fees by Theriault's on March 21, 2020, lot 17.
3
Ballets Russes N3 21
2009 SOLD for $ 263K by Theriault's
The number 21 was sold for $ 263K by Theriault's on July 12, 2009. The boy in a flamboyant costume in silk and velvet had reserved a pleasant surprise to the experts : it is titled Ballets Russes N 3, confirming the interest of its authors for the most innovative show of their time.
1927 Japanese Friendship Doll
2024 SOLD for $ 247K by Theriault's
The 1924 US Immigration Act prevented immigration from Asia and established quotas for immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe. The barring of the Japanese created tension in the economic and political relations between both countries.
In 1927 the Friendship doll project aimed to reestablish friendship through the children.
The American blue eyed dolls were conceived as cheap toys. About 12,000 were distributed to Japanese kindergartens and elementary schools. Most of them were destroyed during the Second World War.
Reciprocating for that gift, Japan produced 58 friendship dolls. These educative figures were intended to propagate in the USA the Japanese cultural values, each one illustrating another region or city. From both side the dolls were accompanied in a leather travel case by passports, steamship tickets, and letters written by children.
They arrived together in San Francisco. Groups were brought to various US tours totaling 479 cities. Afterward each US state, 48 at that time, received at least one doll.
Each Japanese doll was about 82 cm high. The wooden face and limbs were painted in gofun, a preparation also used to highlight the female face complexion in the ukiyo-e. These misses are equipped with a kimono and a bridal trousseau.
Miss Kanto-shu, representing a Japanese district in occupied Manchuria, is the only surviving continental Asian example. Originally attributed to New Hampshire, it was sold for $ 247K from a lower estimate of $ 60K by Theriault's on January 6, 2024, lot 158. It is complete of its original costume, case and accessories.
In 1927 the Friendship doll project aimed to reestablish friendship through the children.
The American blue eyed dolls were conceived as cheap toys. About 12,000 were distributed to Japanese kindergartens and elementary schools. Most of them were destroyed during the Second World War.
Reciprocating for that gift, Japan produced 58 friendship dolls. These educative figures were intended to propagate in the USA the Japanese cultural values, each one illustrating another region or city. From both side the dolls were accompanied in a leather travel case by passports, steamship tickets, and letters written by children.
They arrived together in San Francisco. Groups were brought to various US tours totaling 479 cities. Afterward each US state, 48 at that time, received at least one doll.
Each Japanese doll was about 82 cm high. The wooden face and limbs were painted in gofun, a preparation also used to highlight the female face complexion in the ukiyo-e. These misses are equipped with a kimono and a bridal trousseau.
Miss Kanto-shu, representing a Japanese district in occupied Manchuria, is the only surviving continental Asian example. Originally attributed to New Hampshire, it was sold for $ 247K from a lower estimate of $ 60K by Theriault's on January 6, 2024, lot 158. It is complete of its original costume, case and accessories.
1982 Poltergeist Clown Doll
2023 SOLD for $ 660K by Propstore
Released in 1982, Poltergeist is a ghost film produced by the Metro Goldwyn Mayer from a story by Steven Spielberg.
The haunted house is inhabited by a couple and their three children. The 8 year old Robbie uses to sit his clown doll in front of his bed. Suddenly the doll turns its gently face to a sardonic evil grin with a hallucinated gaze, grabs the child and drags him under the bed for strangling him. This moment is considered as one of the scariest in the history of supernatural films.
The doll had been prepared as the friendly version to which a malevolent head and an evil head have been added. Later a second body was sewed to the evil head. The malevolent head was not used in the film. The dollmaker is Annette Little
That unique Poltergeist evil doll 135 cm high is still complete excepted that the hat is from the happy version. Some fabrics have faded over the years. Its hand painted face is screen matched. Some cracks to the plaster head are visible in the film. They had been repaired by the production team between shots.
It was sold for $ 660K from a lower estimate of $ 200K by Propstore on June 28, 2023, lot 318.
The haunted house is inhabited by a couple and their three children. The 8 year old Robbie uses to sit his clown doll in front of his bed. Suddenly the doll turns its gently face to a sardonic evil grin with a hallucinated gaze, grabs the child and drags him under the bed for strangling him. This moment is considered as one of the scariest in the history of supernatural films.
The doll had been prepared as the friendly version to which a malevolent head and an evil head have been added. Later a second body was sewed to the evil head. The malevolent head was not used in the film. The dollmaker is Annette Little
That unique Poltergeist evil doll 135 cm high is still complete excepted that the hat is from the happy version. Some fabrics have faded over the years. Its hand painted face is screen matched. Some cracks to the plaster head are visible in the film. They had been repaired by the production team between shots.
It was sold for $ 660K from a lower estimate of $ 200K by Propstore on June 28, 2023, lot 318.
2010 Barbie Canturi
2010 SOLD for $ 300K by Christie's
A doll was sold by Christie's for $ 300K on October 20, 2010 in a jewelry auction.
Its name is 'BarbieTM by Stefano Canturi'. Designed and equipped for the occasion by the Australian jeweler, it claimed to be the most expensive Barbie ® in the world. It had been offered without reserve for the benefit of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation ®.
Blonde, dressed in an elegant black gown, wears an opulent diamond necklace made at her scale by Canturi. Cubist-inspired, this jewel is centered on a very saturated purplish pink diamond (fancy vivid purplish pink) weighing 1 carat. Its natural color is exceptional but the clarity is I1 classified meaning that inclusions are eye visible.
The image of the doll was shared before sale by NewsFeed.
Barbie and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. © 2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Its name is 'BarbieTM by Stefano Canturi'. Designed and equipped for the occasion by the Australian jeweler, it claimed to be the most expensive Barbie ® in the world. It had been offered without reserve for the benefit of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation ®.
Blonde, dressed in an elegant black gown, wears an opulent diamond necklace made at her scale by Canturi. Cubist-inspired, this jewel is centered on a very saturated purplish pink diamond (fancy vivid purplish pink) weighing 1 carat. Its natural color is exceptional but the clarity is I1 classified meaning that inclusions are eye visible.
The image of the doll was shared before sale by NewsFeed.
Barbie and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. © 2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
