While the Jumeau firm was one of the most prolific of doll companies with its numerous eras marked by evolving head molds, the earliest portrait bebe seems to earn the most adoration for its ethereal quality.  She is sometimes angelic, sometimes primitive due to her enunciated eye cuts, sometimes mesmerizing in expression, but always breathtaking.  The earliest portrait is designated by the low numbers in the size range, this one being a size 1 at 16 ½”.

 She has bright, spiraled blue paperweight eyes, pale multi-stroke brows and lashes, a closed mouth with rather full, peachy lips, and the palest of early bisque that is lightly shaded on the cheeks.  Her ears are pierced and she wears a newer wig of soft, blond mohair, much like her original wig would have been. Her French composition body is not mark with the  Jumeau stamp, but is most definitely her original Jumeau body, having its chunky torso and limbs, large mitt- type hands, straight wrists and is jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees with eight wood balls. 

Having a paper mache or composition swivel head, this is an unusual SFBJ bebe (19") that takes on the tone of a friendly clown storybook wizard, or exotic theatre character.  Notice the slight addition of sparsely applied face paint, along with brown glass eyes, feathered brows and gentle eyelash application, and an open mouth.   

  In lieu of a wig, there is a velvet cap over the head, underneath the faux seal-like fur hat that matches the trim on the exotic, velvety burgundy robe, made with vintage fabrics.  The French composition body is fully jointed and has the circular SFBJ sticker on the upper back. The head is attached so it wants to tilt slightly to the side, and at the top left crown, there is a surface crack to the composition.  The black boots and stockings are vintage.

What a warm face this 24" Rabery and Delphieu bebe has, from her chestnut brown paperweight eyes, lush dark lashes and chocolate brown brows, ripe peach, stained lips of her closed mouth, and contrasting pale bisque with the gentlest of shading on her cheeks.  She seems to have her original, rustic brunette, human hair wig in the original set, pierced ears, and a fully jointed, chunky French composition and wood body with straight wrists.  Her white cotton frock with red accents is of a semi sheer fabric and seems like an original garment from her time. 

  On her head rests an impressive bonnet whose construction and abundant trim give it an impressive height.   Her socks and luxurious leather, lace up shoes are antique. The anitque, white cotton frock with red accents is of a semi sheer fabric and seems like an original garment from her time.  On her head rests an impressive bonnet whose construction and frothy trim give it an impressive height.  Her socks and luxurious leather, lace up shoes are antique.

SFBJ is known for its wide range of French character dolls, most of which can be researched and studied in numerous books and articles.  In this situation, we have an incised mold number (243) that is listed on the mold roster in the noted SFBJ book by Theimer, but there is no information, description or photo provided for that number.  Was it a prototype that did not make it to production or a doll specially commissioned that wasn’t sold a part of the regular product line?  Whatever the answer, it is the ultimate RARE mold that not only raises questions and the compulsion for further study, but it definitely provides a darling addition to your cabinet of elusive dolls.  She does have a left forehead factory hairline.

 This tiny 9" character has ocean blue glass set eyes, peeking out from her chubby peachy bisque face, closed mouth and wears and antique, human hair long wig on top of her cork pate.  It’s also pleasing to see the wonderful quality and condition of the fully jointed French composition SFBJ body, where no shortcuts were taken despite the diminutive size of the doll.  Wearing an endearing cotton print dress with pleated skirt, under a white cotton pinafore with eyelet detail that matched the detail on the layers of cotton undergarments, this girl is a little gem.  Not to mention the tiny, high quality, antique French leather bebe shoes and Jumeau-type antique rust crocheted stockings.  A real find!

Looking like a close relative of  the other French bebe on the site by R.D., this lovely brown-eyed 21" girl by Etienne Denamur has the same cozy aura with her very similar features and coloring.  Her warmly-hued, paperweight eyes have the dark, lush lashes and feathered brown brows, full, peach-toned lips and a closed mouth, and pristine pale bisque with the hint of even, overall shading on the cheeks. 

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!

Recently purchased in Paris, she is contained in her original store box with a large label on the lid that reads “Louvre” which was a thriving department store in her day and is still open on Rue de Rivoli. Quite an unusual piece in remarkable original condition! $950.