Nelling, Inc.
E a r l y D o
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Early China in Orig. Military Costume
$695. |
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A
bit of French military nostalgia comes to life here with this endearing
wartime “water boy” (12 3/4") with the original uniform he would have worn
on the battle grounds bringing water to the troops.
He even carries his wooden barrel cantene hanging from a leather
strap. The whole outfit is
original, including the wooden clogs and the fabric, pointed cap he wears.
He is an early German china, circa 1845-50, with a short hairdo,
exposed ears, and rare wisps of side hair painted on his temples.
Probably depicting the time of the Franco Moroccan war of the 1840's.
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His
original body is of cloth while his arms are leather with stitched fingers.
Over his simple, red cotton trousers, is a quite elaborate, long
military wool jacket in navy blue, with boldly placed rows of gold metal
buttons, additional red coard trim, white cotton underclothing and and apron
as well. I had recently sold a
smaller, French china water girl in a very similar outfit, also purchased in
Paris! |
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Early Paper Mache
23" |
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with Special Provenance
$1,850. |
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Another
outstanding paper mache doll from the Sherryl Shirran collection, we have an
1840's girl with physical provenance from the family right on her shoulder
plate! Obvious are her pupil-less dark enamel eyes, early center-parted
long, painted black hair with cascading molded ringlets, rare exposed ears,
and pale, original complexion. Her original body is of stitch-jointed
stuffed muslin, her arms and hands are of brown leather, and her feet are
built-on, blue leather boots that have some wear to the paint surface.
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What you can't see unless you look
with a magnifying glass are the three family member names etched with a fine
sharp tool on the front of the shoulder plate. They read, Amanda
Cooke, Sallie Cooke, and John M Cooke. They remain there
like a permanent, secret link to her family history. So special for
the early collector. |
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Soft Paste China Fashion
18 1/2" |
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Truly Unusual!
SOLD |
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Having
the presence of a young girl, this unusual, Continental china fashion doll
is made from what is called the “soft paste” material and method, giving her
a unique look. The larger proportion of clay to glass substances called for
the need of a much lower firing temperature and softer, less glassy
end-product. Early porcelain pieces from Europe were mostly soft paste with
a transition to the tougher, highly fired hard paste during the 1800's.
Please notice her slightly tinted, solid dome shoulder head with blue
painted eyes, and full face and soft rose tinted lips, also her original,
soft human hair wig in fine ringlets Her plump molded china shoulders and
arms have a healthy , life-like feel, with the arms a typically lighter tint
than the head. Typical of the more porous nature of this type of china, she
has a pepper spot above her left eyebrow.
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Her slightly husky, young body is of a
stuffed muslin with stitched joints so she can easily sit as well as be
propped on a stand. Of great appeal is her antique, enfantine dress of heavy
silk in a “Huret-era” like bold plaid, with carved “flower” buttons.
Underneath are antique undergarments, on her feet some two-toned antique
boots and on her head a dark velvet beret with coordinating trim that gives
her a flavor of the British Isles. |
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English Wooden Child with Endearing Presence
$12,900. |
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Along
with representing a child, this late, George III English wooden (20") has
that special something that only the esoteric changes of time and the
natural combination of presentation details can provide. Carved by a wood
worker at the very end of the eighteenth century, she has the simpler
details of features typical of the examples from that time, but her
simpatica personality makes her stand out and almost come to life. She has
the darkest brown enamel eyes, one-stroke brows, long pronounced nose,
demure smiling painted red lips, rosy complexion and rouged cheeks that
combined together give her an endearing energy.
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Her brunette, human hair curls are
secured to the top of her head and the unrestored surface of her face shows
the tracks of play and adoration starting 225 years ago! Acceptable and not
distracting for a true lover of antique woodens. Her rounded head and
simply carved torso are one piece, as are her carved wooden legs being only
jointed at the hips. Her arms are of original kid leather, both of
which have had a patch added at the elbows later on. Her feet are crudely
carved then tinted in a cadmium red paint, with the left one having the
front tip chipped off (hidden in the shoe).
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Petite Early Wax Child
$650. |
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What
a dear little wax doll (61/2") to hold in your hand for a close look at her
toddler-like, full face with realistically painted blue eyes, a semi-smiling
closed mouth and remnants of her fine eyebrows on her pale wax complexion.
The passage of time and handling has caused some surface rubs and abrasions
on her chubby face. She has a wig of fine blond human hair in tiny curls,
and her one-piece head and shoulder plate is mounted on a firm cloth body,
jointed with stitching at the shoulders and hips, and having wax lower arms
and legs. Her light-weight peach dress of antique wool has a matching bonnet
with an unruly tassel-like trim and she wears snugly-fitting white leather
slippers with tiny pearl buckles.
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Embedded
in a circular antique wooden box that is covered in primitive wallpaper is a
6 1/2” carved wooden doll that is surrounded by an organic floral splay of
natural fibers, paper flowers and petite wood creatures. The diameter of the
box is 12” and the whole presentation looks like it served as a greeting or
gift showing love, friendship or appreciation. The figure has a painted,
carved head bearing a smiling expression, with the arms of bent wire,
forearms of metal and hands, body and legs of wood.
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Just like the fine cotton fibers
creating the foundation or “mattress” inside the box, so is her full head of
hair, however it is died a vibrant auburn color. The same fibers adorn her
silk gown and she has a fabric, drawstring purse that matches her short
cape. Attached all around her are various representations of nature made of
natural materials, such as shapes of seashells, blossoms, cones, some actual
bird feathers and intricately created paper floral details.
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There are also tiny, painted wood
garden creatures intermingled into the canvas of curiosities. The piece is
probably a Continental piece, definitely something not rarely discovered and
a treasure for an early doll collector. It can be supported and displayed on
a wooden plate-holder.
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German Wax Over Composition Motchsman Doll
$1,050. |
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For
some collectors, the early baby is a magical category all its own, where
numerous mediums have been used to depict the history of the infant doll.
This outstanding example (16") has an impeccable delicate layer of wax over
a composition head, with cornflower blue enamel eyes, gentle decoration and
shading of facial features, nicely molded ears, and strategically painted
wisps of hair on the head. The wax covered head swivels on a pale, molded
composition shoulder plate, whose material and surface is repeated at the
hips, lower arms, lower legs and jointed hands and feet. These sections of
the body are attached with stuffed linen fabric that provides a special
softness of movement.
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Highly Decorated Parian
18" |
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Fancy Hairdo and Pierced Ears
$1,695. |
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The colorful shoulder plate is
decorated with a neat, white molded blouse, a ruffled and glazed pink
trimmed collar, tied up with a blue glazed bow edged in gold at the center
of the neck, with collar detail continuing on to the back. Her original body
is of linen cloth with white kid leather, cotton-stuffed arms, one of which
is quite split at the seams. Her finely made antique dress of the late
1860's is of a brown and black plaid silk which is quite sturdy and she has
lovely, layered antique undergarments and antique leather slippers.
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more
Early Dolls
go to page 2
nellingdolls@gmail.com
Post Office Box 4327 n
Burbank, CA 91503
Cell (818) 738-4591
n Home Phone (818)
562-7839
Don't forget to
look at the Miscellaneous page!
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