Doll
> 1867 The Optical Doll
2018 SOLD for $ 333K including premium
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 in Newport Beach CA, Theriault's sells a 76 cm high Rochard doll with a rotating head, lot 17 estimated $ 80K. It still has 24 of its 28 original 1 x 1.4 mm Stanhope views. The kaleidoscope is missing. This doll is narrated by 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 in Newport Beach CA, Theriault's sells a 76 cm high Rochard doll with a rotating head, lot 17 estimated $ 80K. It still has 24 of its 28 original 1 x 1.4 mm Stanhope views. The kaleidoscope is missing. This doll is narrated by 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 The Insolent Dolls of Emile Jumeau
2016 SOLD for $ 165K before fees
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 including premium by Theriault's on November 22, 2014.
On July 26 in Washington DC, Theriault's sells three Jumeau dolls from the 200s series. Lot 18, estimated $ 80K, is an interesting and insolent tongue showing girl 51 cm high with head size 9. Lot 19, estimated $ 50K, is a happy laughing girl with half closed eyes, in the same size. Lot 17, estimated $ 40K, 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.
RESULTS BEFORE FEES :
Lot 17 : $ 42K.
Lot 18 : $ 165K.
Lot 19 : $ 65K.
These dolls are narrated by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video below :
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 including premium by Theriault's on November 22, 2014.
On July 26 in Washington DC, Theriault's sells three Jumeau dolls from the 200s series. Lot 18, estimated $ 80K, is an interesting and insolent tongue showing girl 51 cm high with head size 9. Lot 19, estimated $ 50K, is a happy laughing girl with half closed eyes, in the same size. Lot 17, estimated $ 40K, 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.
RESULTS BEFORE FEES :
Lot 17 : $ 42K.
Lot 18 : $ 165K.
Lot 19 : $ 65K.
These dolls are narrated by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video below :
Now Online for Pre-Bidding—"Bread and Roses" Marquis Doll Auction, July 26 in Washington, DC https://t.co/CyXSWAoHKl pic.twitter.com/GXnDPBU2D9
— Theriault's Auctions (@TheriaultsDolls) July 11, 2016
1909 K*R Doll
2014 SOLD for £ 240K including premium by Bonhams
narrated in 2019 before the sale of another doll by Theriault's (see below)
In 1886 Kämmer 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 including premium. A 105 was sold for £ 170K including premium.
A boy 104 in a flawless original condition was sold for $ 210K including premium by Theriault's on January 12, 2013 over a lower estimate of $ 110K. A girl 104, 48 cm high, was sold for $ 65K before fees by Theriault's on July 22, 2019.
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 including premium. A 105 was sold for £ 170K including premium.
A boy 104 in a flawless original condition was sold for $ 210K including premium by Theriault's on January 12, 2013 over a lower estimate of $ 110K. A girl 104, 48 cm high, was sold for $ 65K before fees by Theriault's on July 22, 2019.
1909 K*R Doll
2014 SOLD for £ 170K including premium by Bonhams
Narrated above.
1909 K*R Doll
2013 SOLD for $ 210K including premium by Theriault's
Narrated above.
1909 A Happy Character
2019 SOLD for $ 65K before fees
Fully narrated above.
See blog.
A girl 104, 48 cm high, is estimated $ 60K for sale by Theriault's in Nashville on July 22, lot 17. It is shown at the bottom left in the tweet below.
See blog.
A girl 104, 48 cm high, is estimated $ 60K for sale by Theriault's in Nashville on July 22, lot 17. It is shown at the bottom left in the tweet below.
A Summer Doll Auction - Monday, July 22nd in Nashville
— Theriault's Auctions (@TheriaultsDolls) July 1, 2019
Inspired by the Robert Frost poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, Theriault’s offers an exceptional collection of dolls from Mary Lou Rubright of Shoemakersville, PA during the 70s and 80s. https://t.co/dtHaw6tPl3 pic.twitter.com/WaYC0x0QZp
1915 Lorraine by Albert Marque
2015 SOLD for $ 310K including premium
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 for which she will realize the costumes. The realistic and expressive bébé's heads are commissioned to Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in children's busts. The bisque is made at Sèvres.
Marque executed about one hundred pieces that are the masterpieces of the French doll. The variety of clothes for girls and boys, provincial or exotic, royal or peasant, demonstrate the passion of Margaine-Lacroix for the history of costume. Unfortunately she did not appreciate the tremendous 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.
On July 12, 2009, a boy wearing a costume of the Ballets Russes was sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's.
On January 10 in Newport Beach CA, the same auction house sells Lorraine, number 94 in the series signed by Albert Marque. Inspired by 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.
This doll 56 cm high is estimated $ 160K, lot 17 in the catalog of Theriault's also shared on the bidding platform Proxibid. It is the second of two dolls discussed by Florence Theriault on the video shared on YouTube by the auction house:
In 1915 Margaine-Lacroix conceived in her shop the project of an exhibition of dolls for which she will realize the costumes. The realistic and expressive bébé's heads are commissioned to Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in children's busts. The bisque is made at Sèvres.
Marque executed about one hundred pieces that are the masterpieces of the French doll. The variety of clothes for girls and boys, provincial or exotic, royal or peasant, demonstrate the passion of Margaine-Lacroix for the history of costume. Unfortunately she did not appreciate the tremendous 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.
On July 12, 2009, a boy wearing a costume of the Ballets Russes was sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's.
On January 10 in Newport Beach CA, the same auction house sells Lorraine, number 94 in the series signed by Albert Marque. Inspired by 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.
This doll 56 cm high is estimated $ 160K, lot 17 in the catalog of Theriault's also shared on the bidding platform Proxibid. It is the second of two dolls discussed by Florence Theriault on the video shared on YouTube by the auction house:
1915 The Doll with the Aigrette
2016 SOLD for $ 240K before fees
An exhibition of dolls goes unnoticed in Paris in 1915, in part because of the war. The bodies 56 cm high were made by the Manufacture de Sèvres from molds signed by the sculptor Albert Marque. They are splendidly dressed by Jeanne Margaine-Lacroix.
A renowned couture designer in her time, Margaine-Lacroix has conceived this exhibition as an anthology of the costume. The themes are often inspired by regional clothing, but not only. About one hundred dolls were serial numbered. Folk art is fragile: less than twenty are located today. As a consistent set, this seductive work is lost forever.
The number 94 was sold for $ 310K including premium by Theriault's on January 10, 2015. Named Lorraine, it wears the complex costume of a French queen of the sixteenth century.
The number 21 was sold for $ 263K including premium by the same auction house on July 12, 2009. The boy in a flamboyant costume 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.
The number 7 is a character doll dressed in a costume adorned with gold and with turquoise colored jewels and wearing a hat with a tall aigrette.
The knowledge of its provenance is exceptional. It was purchased to Margaine-Lacroix in 1915 by a collector whose son founded a doll museum in New Hampshire, later transferred to Winter Haven FL. It was accompanied by another doll of the same series and their costumes were both identified as Persian.
Number 7 was sold to a collector after the closure of the museum in 1984. It has just resurfaced and is estimated $ 180K to be sold by Theriault's in Newport Beach CA on January 9, lot 17. It has changed ownership only once during its one hundred years and is in near mint condition. The catalog is linking its costume to the Ballets Russes, which is not in contradiction with a Persian style.
This doll is the first one discussed by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video introducing the sale.
A renowned couture designer in her time, Margaine-Lacroix has conceived this exhibition as an anthology of the costume. The themes are often inspired by regional clothing, but not only. About one hundred dolls were serial numbered. Folk art is fragile: less than twenty are located today. As a consistent set, this seductive work is lost forever.
The number 94 was sold for $ 310K including premium by Theriault's on January 10, 2015. Named Lorraine, it wears the complex costume of a French queen of the sixteenth century.
The number 21 was sold for $ 263K including premium by the same auction house on July 12, 2009. The boy in a flamboyant costume 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.
The number 7 is a character doll dressed in a costume adorned with gold and with turquoise colored jewels and wearing a hat with a tall aigrette.
The knowledge of its provenance is exceptional. It was purchased to Margaine-Lacroix in 1915 by a collector whose son founded a doll museum in New Hampshire, later transferred to Winter Haven FL. It was accompanied by another doll of the same series and their costumes were both identified as Persian.
Number 7 was sold to a collector after the closure of the museum in 1984. It has just resurfaced and is estimated $ 180K to be sold by Theriault's in Newport Beach CA on January 9, lot 17. It has changed ownership only once during its one hundred years and is in near mint condition. The catalog is linking its costume to the Ballets Russes, which is not in contradiction with a Persian style.
This doll is the first one discussed by Mrs Florence Theriault in the video introducing the sale.
1915 Louis XV Lace
2017 SOLD for $ 160K before fees
In 1915 the haute couture house Margaine-Lacroix established at 19 boulevard Haussmann in Paris dresses a hundred dolls as boys and girls on a single model 56 cm high created for that specific purpose by Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in portraits of children.
The dolls are exhibited in the shop but this sensational anthology of the costume has not been documented. Many of them have disappeared. The population of 100 is only an extrapolation of the numbers indicated on the head in red ink. No list survived. This ephemeral operation was undoubtedly intended to be some demonstrator of the know-how of the designer.
Dolls 5, 7, 12 and 94 have been previously discussed in this column. On July 12, 2009, doll 21 had been sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's. Some dolls still retain a pencil title on the foot. Doll 94 named Lorraine was sold for $ 310K including premium by Theriault's on January 10, 2015.
On August 1 in Orlando, Theriault's sells the doll numbered 50, lot 34 estimated $ 140K.
The blonde girl is fitted with a long dress in wool and satin. She is pretty with four pieces in fine lace : the bonnet, the scarf or jabot folded over the neck and the pair of cuffs.
Its first owner was a little girl. The parents, conscious of the fragile beauty of the doll, required her not to play with it. She held that commitment for 86 years before having it auctioned by Theriault's in 2002.
Maintained in an excellent original condition, the doll retains its pencil title : Paulette Louis XV. By the opulence of her bonnet she is more a peasant than a marquise. The reign of Louis XV remained for a long time a symbol of cool elegance between the fêtes galantes of the Régence and the country coquetry of Queen Marie-Antoinette, the wife of his successor. Paulette designates both a nice diminutive for first name Paule and a controversial tax of the Ancien Régime.
ADDITIONAL PRE SALE INFORMATION
The Albert Marque doll is highlighted in second position in the video shared by Theriault's. The pencil title is redefined as Pauline Louis XVI although Paulette Louis XV is still the information in the online catalogue.
The dolls are exhibited in the shop but this sensational anthology of the costume has not been documented. Many of them have disappeared. The population of 100 is only an extrapolation of the numbers indicated on the head in red ink. No list survived. This ephemeral operation was undoubtedly intended to be some demonstrator of the know-how of the designer.
Dolls 5, 7, 12 and 94 have been previously discussed in this column. On July 12, 2009, doll 21 had been sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's. Some dolls still retain a pencil title on the foot. Doll 94 named Lorraine was sold for $ 310K including premium by Theriault's on January 10, 2015.
On August 1 in Orlando, Theriault's sells the doll numbered 50, lot 34 estimated $ 140K.
The blonde girl is fitted with a long dress in wool and satin. She is pretty with four pieces in fine lace : the bonnet, the scarf or jabot folded over the neck and the pair of cuffs.
Its first owner was a little girl. The parents, conscious of the fragile beauty of the doll, required her not to play with it. She held that commitment for 86 years before having it auctioned by Theriault's in 2002.
Maintained in an excellent original condition, the doll retains its pencil title : Paulette Louis XV. By the opulence of her bonnet she is more a peasant than a marquise. The reign of Louis XV remained for a long time a symbol of cool elegance between the fêtes galantes of the Régence and the country coquetry of Queen Marie-Antoinette, the wife of his successor. Paulette designates both a nice diminutive for first name Paule and a controversial tax of the Ancien Régime.
ADDITIONAL PRE SALE INFORMATION
The Albert Marque doll is highlighted in second position in the video shared by Theriault's. The pencil title is redefined as Pauline Louis XVI although Paulette Louis XV is still the information in the online catalogue.
August 1, 2017 | A Cataloged Marquis Auction in Orlando, Florida. View the Auction Online https://t.co/GdKK8X8nNZ #albertmarque #amarque pic.twitter.com/luNwxG8uVY
— Theriault's Auctions (@TheriaultsDolls) July 14, 2017
1915 The Couture Dolls of Albert Marque
2011 SOLD 168 K$ including premium
The collaboration of an artist and a couture designer gave birth to a very interesting series of one hundred dolls.
The designer was Jeanne Margaine-Lacroix, established in Paris, the capital of fashion. The sculptor, Albert Marque, specialized in studies of children.
These dolls with a realistic face, girl or boy, are made in bisque, this type of ceramic that provides a nice skin-like matte finish. Once richly dressed by Jeanne, they have been the subject of an exhibition in her fashion workshop in 1915.
On July 12, 2009, a boy dressed in a clothing of the Ballets Russes de Paris was sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's in Atlanta.
The girl for sale on July 9 by Frasher's Doll Auction in Oak Grove MO bears the signature of Marque and a number 12. Dressed in the style of the eighteenth century, she bears a large cap over her long hair, a little vest and a gorgeous robe à volants (divided dress), probably made by Margaine-Lacroix although not signed. It is 55 cm high.
This lot estimated $ 125K is shown in the catalog shared by the web auction provider LiveAuctioneers.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great price for this lovely doll: $ 150K before fees.
The designer was Jeanne Margaine-Lacroix, established in Paris, the capital of fashion. The sculptor, Albert Marque, specialized in studies of children.
These dolls with a realistic face, girl or boy, are made in bisque, this type of ceramic that provides a nice skin-like matte finish. Once richly dressed by Jeanne, they have been the subject of an exhibition in her fashion workshop in 1915.
On July 12, 2009, a boy dressed in a clothing of the Ballets Russes de Paris was sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's in Atlanta.
The girl for sale on July 9 by Frasher's Doll Auction in Oak Grove MO bears the signature of Marque and a number 12. Dressed in the style of the eighteenth century, she bears a large cap over her long hair, a little vest and a gorgeous robe à volants (divided dress), probably made by Margaine-Lacroix although not signed. It is 55 cm high.
This lot estimated $ 125K is shown in the catalog shared by the web auction provider LiveAuctioneers.
POST SALE COMMENT
Great price for this lovely doll: $ 150K before fees.
1915 The Fashion of the Ballets Russes
2020 SOLD for $ 120K before fees
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.
In 1915 Margaine-Lacroix managed an exhibition and sale of dolls on the theme of costume history. This operation has not been documented but is one of a kind. The dummy is a doll from a unique model, 56 cm high, prepared and signed by Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in children's heads.
The very rare surviving dolls are the only elements that still provide a memory from this exhibition. It was war and very few were sold. The best guarantee of authenticity for a piece of clothing is the Margaine-Lacroix label. Some dolls bear a title or a first name under the foot.
The costumes of the Ballets Russes were one of the favorite themes of that dressmaker, alongside queens of France and regionalism. The doll # 21, titled Danseur Russe # 2 and dressed in silks and velvet, was sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's on July 12, 2009.
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. Purchased together at Margaine-Lacroix during the exhibition, they have long resided in a private American museum and are in an almost mint condition including their original clothing.
The brown doll # 7 was sold for $ 240K before fees by Theriault's on January 9, 2016. Its blonde partner # 8 is estimated $ 140K for sale by Theriault's in Annapolis MD on March 21, lot 17. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
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.
In 1915 Margaine-Lacroix managed an exhibition and sale of dolls on the theme of costume history. This operation has not been documented but is one of a kind. The dummy is a doll from a unique model, 56 cm high, prepared and signed by Albert Marque, a sculptor specializing in children's heads.
The very rare surviving dolls are the only elements that still provide a memory from this exhibition. It was war and very few were sold. The best guarantee of authenticity for a piece of clothing is the Margaine-Lacroix label. Some dolls bear a title or a first name under the foot.
The costumes of the Ballets Russes were one of the favorite themes of that dressmaker, alongside queens of France and regionalism. The doll # 21, titled Danseur Russe # 2 and dressed in silks and velvet, was sold for $ 263K including premium by Theriault's on July 12, 2009.
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. Purchased together at Margaine-Lacroix during the exhibition, they have long resided in a private American museum and are in an almost mint condition including their original clothing.
The brown doll # 7 was sold for $ 240K before fees by Theriault's on January 9, 2016. Its blonde partner # 8 is estimated $ 140K for sale by Theriault's in Annapolis MD on March 21, lot 17. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Theriault's March 21-22, 2020 Marquis Auctions Are Online Now for Pre-Bidding! The auction weekend will feature dolls from the Lillian Hamm Collection and Evelyn Ackerman Saturday and mid-century dolls from the Vivian Brady-Ashley Collection on Sunday. https://t.co/C4ZbGPBdCc pic.twitter.com/l8zmZudVWA
— Theriault's Auctions (@TheriaultsDolls) March 10, 2020
1924 The Blue and Red Bear
2010 SOLD 47 K£ including premium
Awesome! On October 13 in London, Christie's is auctioning a collection of 1,300 Teddy Bears, stuffed plush animals and other soft toys made by the undisputed leader in this type of toys for very young children, the Steiff company.
Steiff, a German company founded in 1880, is not the inventor of the Teddy bear but assured its popularity. By a coincidence of date, they added the bear to their catalog of animals in 1902, the year when America was amused by a hunting incident involving Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt with a bear cub.
The blogger My Steiff Life had the good idea to share the illustration of the press release from Christie's and to provide comments on the specimens that are shown therein.
This confirmed that the centerpiece of this sale is a Harlequin (Harlekin) bear in blue and red mohair, estimated £ 50K. No other copy is known (at least in its size), but we know that it was designed in 1924 and that another Harlequin model existed in pink and yellow.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Harlekin Teddy Bear dominates the story in this marathon sale (not yet completed when I write). It was sold for £ 47 K including premium. The hammer price was £ 38K, somewhat below the enthusiastic lower estimate. It was sold, that's indeed the good news!
Steiff, a German company founded in 1880, is not the inventor of the Teddy bear but assured its popularity. By a coincidence of date, they added the bear to their catalog of animals in 1902, the year when America was amused by a hunting incident involving Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt with a bear cub.
The blogger My Steiff Life had the good idea to share the illustration of the press release from Christie's and to provide comments on the specimens that are shown therein.
This confirmed that the centerpiece of this sale is a Harlequin (Harlekin) bear in blue and red mohair, estimated £ 50K. No other copy is known (at least in its size), but we know that it was designed in 1924 and that another Harlequin model existed in pink and yellow.
POST SALE COMMENT
The Harlekin Teddy Bear dominates the story in this marathon sale (not yet completed when I write). It was sold for £ 47 K including premium. The hammer price was £ 38K, somewhat below the enthusiastic lower estimate. It was sold, that's indeed the good news!
2010 Barbie visits an Auction Room
2010 SOLD 302 K$ including premium
This doll will come on October 20 in New York in the jewelry auction organized by Christie's, not as a visitor but as a lot for sale.
Her name is 'BarbieTM by Stefano Canturi'. Designed and equipped for the occasion by the Australian jeweler, she wants to be the most expensive Barbie ® in the world with a lower estimate of $ 300K. The lot is 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.
Barbie and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. © 2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
POST SALE COMMENT
This charity lot was sold $ 302K including premium after a suitable media effort. The lower estimate is not reached. This does not surprise me, because the clarity of the diamond was not very good.
The image of the doll was shared before sale by NewsFeed.
Her name is 'BarbieTM by Stefano Canturi'. Designed and equipped for the occasion by the Australian jeweler, she wants to be the most expensive Barbie ® in the world with a lower estimate of $ 300K. The lot is 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.
Barbie and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. © 2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
POST SALE COMMENT
This charity lot was sold $ 302K including premium after a suitable media effort. The lower estimate is not reached. This does not surprise me, because the clarity of the diamond was not very good.
The image of the doll was shared before sale by NewsFeed.
