The first series Jumeau portrait bebe has a special importance to collectors…its significance in the transition of fashion dolls to child dolls, the dramatic simplicity that is almost primitive, and being the marker for the beginning of the rich evolution of many French bebes to come over the next 20 years.  Having all of that, this example (14 1/2") goes a step further in importance with its all wood, fully jointed Jumeau body.  It has the same silhouette as the classic eight-ball wood and composition body of the early Jumeau bebes, however every inch is of wood. 

 The paperweight, wraparound eyes are a rich brown, the facial painting pale and precise, the ears pierced and the wig being the original blond mohair.  At lower neck, in back of the head is the incised mark 2/0, in correct relation to this size in the earliest portrait series. Another special surprise is that the shoes are marked underneath with the early Jumeau stamp, also probably original along with the costume.  In the line of owners of this doll over the centuries, each one was in possession of something very special!

What an innovator Jules Steiner was, with his genius often see portrayed with dolls that are not only beautiful, but that also perform a function.  The Steiner Gigoteur was one of them, using an early faced bebe, bisque head with teeth, that when the original key is wound, and the lever released, she raises her arms, subtly moves her legs and says “Mama, Papa!”.  She has bright blue paperweight eyes, an open mouth with the teeth set way back, super pale with gentle painting of features, and her original blond wig. 

Offering a sweet, 20" Tete Jumeau Bebe #9, with dark brown paperweight eyes, voluminous multi-stroke brows and lashes, a closed mouth, pale and lovely bisque with soft shading, pierced ears, and original pate under an antique, brunette human hair wig.  Her Jumeau composition and wood body is stamped in blue on the lower back and is fully jointed,  including the wrists. 

Her body is especially beautiful in it’s original lifelike coloring and sturdy French silhouette.  A shame to hide under its two layers of antique undergarments under what looks to be her worn, but original factory cotton chemise with crimson silk ribbon trim and coordinating bonnet.  She wears an antique chaplet, or one-decade rosary, of glass amethyst beads, and a gold tone broach, and on her feet, cream antique stockings and leather shoes. When it come to A.T.’s, she has the “IT” factor… Take one look at her and you can’t stop looking!

There is something about an all original doll that is intriguing, no matter the maker or the rarity.  Just the costume on this petite, Unis SFBJ, bisque head doll with painted features and five-piece composition body earns admiration, as she wears it as she has from day one of her production.  Depicting a girl of a country region of France, she is a study of late 19^th century rural costume and home life.  She could be a finishing touch in a small garden or outdoor setting with maybe a little lamb or two by her side! 

The special charm of beholding a small French bebe is provided with this 12” Portrait Jumeau, an early bebe in the Jumeau line that preceded the early E.J.   The two can be very similar in look, which happened often during the transitional periods between the evolving molds.  She has innocent, blue spiral paperweight eyes, a rose colored, closed mouth, lightly tinted lashes and multi-stroke brows, pierced ears, and the palest of peach-toned facial color.  The eight-ball, French composition body with straight wrists bears the Jumeau Medaille d’Or stamp on the back. Her blond mohair wig is antique as are her socks and French leather shoes.

The Jumeau portrait bebe went through a brisk evolution of looks in a very short period of time, being the first half of the 1880's. This fresh-faced girl (16")  is from the second series of about 1883 and you can see the refinement that took place with her very symmetrical and balanced features. She has ocean blue paperweight eyes, a closed mouth in pale rose, and smooth, even pale bisque with gentle shading and decoration. Her mohair wig is a very nice replacement, her ears are pierced and she has her cork pate, but not the Jumeau "screwgle" type attachment.

The chunky, marked Jumeau eight-ball body is jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, and has straight wrists. It looks like the arms and legs have an old repaint that has developed its own patina. She wears and antique, pale grey-blue frock of silk with lace trim that is gathered all around the lowered waist. Her undergarments are antique as is her flower-adorned, woven straw hat.

 Even the original antique wig that is part of the costume is made of strong, black human hair that is loosely styled, allowing the long locks to fall from the shoulders. She is also shown with an antique, blond mohair wig that she keeps to the side in case she needs it for a future extra outfit. She has warm brown paperweight eyes, lush lashes and finely stroked brows on a molded brow bone, creamy bisque with appealingly shaded cheeks and a closed mouth, in a delicate rose hue with fine outlining of the lips. She has pierced ears with the right earring hole having a chip. As Chevrot bodies go, hers is outstanding in condition and cleanliness of her leather torso, leather over wood upper arms, leather over metal armature upper legs and wood lower legs and carved feet.

Still mounted in their original, glass top presentation box is this delightful pair of 7” dolls, a girl and boy, dressed in fancy shepherds costumes of the eighteenth century. The dolls have bisque heads, hands and lower legs, glass eyes and closed mouths, with bodies of firmly stuffed cloth and of course their clothing is original right up to their satin-covered staffs and opulent chapeaux. 

On the pasture with them are four paper mache and wood, fleece covered toy sheep. Still secured in this original display, they have never been played with, therefore in mint condition!