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Nelling, Inc.

F r e n c h   D o l l s

page  1, 2

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Jumeau E.4.J. ON LAYAWAY

Original and Antique Wardrobe

12" Cabinet Size

The first feature a Jumeau collector will notice about this splendid little E.J. bebe is her original hairband of an early hardened rubber, that although split at the middle front, still retains its value to remain right where it has been since she was made.  It rests on her original, upswept blond mohair wig that looks precious with her rich brown, paperweight eyes, peach rose-colored closed mouth, warmly blushed cheeks and lushly painted lashes and brows.

Her straight-wristed Jumeau body is stamped "Medaille D' Or  PARIS" and her ivory leather shoes are signed Jumeau as well .Her lithographed paper covered, German trunk is overflowing with some lovely garments, such as her original pink and cream fancy silk frock, a factory chemise, two white cotton French dresses in varying styles, several pieces of antique undergarments and a sleeping gown, not to mention some bonnets and an extra pair of stockings.

The ornate, gold toned metal daybed where she is seen reclining, next to a sweet coordinating dressing screen, are sold separately and shown in detail on the furniture page.  The photo session very must have been very tiring for the little one!

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Ferdinand Gaultier

Early, Bru-like Bebe 14"

and Intricate Metal Carriage $8950.

An early, Block Letter French bebe by F.G. that supplies an example of the early business relationship between Ferdinand Gaultier and Casmir Bru, where design ideas, part production and styles were borrowed, shared and utilized.  The similarities here to an early Bru  are many, such as her pale and infantine face, heavenly blue paperweight eyes, swivel head and shoulder plate with square-cut collarette, delicate decoration and sparse but original, natural skin wig.

It continues with her Bru-like, kid leather plump body with gussetted joints and beautifully sculpted bisque hands and forearms.  The identifying difference between the two manufacturers' hand sculpting is the pronounced angular pose of the F.G. fingers as opposed to the rounded curves to those of the early Bru bebe. The body construction, however, is almost identical to that of the early Bru Brevete.  And the way this beautiful example is dressed makes her a twin sister to the Early Bru Teteur with her baby-esque presentation and overall feel.  Riding in her elaborate, mesh metal carriage, all seems right in her innocent world!

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Jumeau E.11.J. in Original Marquis Costume $9400.

A Jumeau E.J. size 11 (25 1/2") produced in the early 1880's whose original costume gives us a lesson in the masculine fashion style of the mid to late 1700's French court.  His costume is that of a French Marquis in midnight blue velvet and ivory silk with lace trim, and although frail in several areas, they are not noticeable enough to affect its opulent display.  He does have undergarments, fine stockings, and a three corner felt chapeau (hat not original but appropriate in age to the doll and style of costume).  He is well-heeled in stamped Jumeau size 11 shoes of brown leather.

And with this dramatic and historical costume comes an outstanding doll; a size 11 Jumeau E.J. with warm brown paperweight eyes, closed mouth, even bisque that is beautifully shaded and features that are skillfully painted to make a warm, soulful expression.  The antique wig of voluminous, ash blond mohair curls is tied into a thick pony tail with a silk ribbon, in the typical hairstyle for the longer hair worn by men and boys of the period.  The stamped Jumeau, eight-ball body with straight wrists is in beautiful condition with original finish.  A large and elegant antique watch fob looks important pinned to his lapel.

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Jumeau Triste 29"

"Long Face" ON LAYAWAY

The Jumeau bebe designed by renowned French sculptor Albert-Earnest Carrier Belleuse, who was the chief designer at the Jumeau factory n 1886, is called the "Triste" or "Long Face" for it's pensive and somewhat sad expression.  The dolls were only made in larger sizes so they always make an immediate impression.

There were three or four varying faces, all of them with a closed mouth and this one with soulful brown paperweight eyes and original long brunette human hair wig.  Her body is marked with the Jumeau Medailles D' Or stamp and her head is incised with her size number 14.  Her silk frock is made from old materials and her royal blue wool cape with black velvet trim is original to her period, as is her frilly lace and silk antique bonnet.  Her bisque is pale and her decoration gentle, and from the time of manufacture she has a long, red baking line that runs alongside the left mold seam of her head.  No reason to be sad!

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Fre. A Steiner 12"

La Parisienne $5785.

With the flat and crisp quality that an original organdy dress can supply, this cabinet size Figure A Steiner has that impeccable original feel that lovers of genuine doll clothing can appreciate.  Only time can give us this unmistakable look and feel and it is so satisfying.  Not to mention the antique bonne that compliments her crisp ensemble!  Underneath are her antique white undergarments, stockings and French, ivory leather shoes.  What a simple, clean presentation!

Her blue paperweight eyes, closed mouth, smooth, rose petal bisque, and softly- toned decoration are framed with her original blond mohair wig atop her original grey cardboard Steiner pate.  Her fully jointed Steiner body with slim hands is in excellent condition, and bears the "La Parisienne" stamp on the upper left hip area.  Her ivory painted fingernails suggests that she came from the Au Nein Blue store in Paris, circa late 1880's.

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Early Bisque Hip Steiner Bebe $7800.

Jules Nicholas Steiner was a pioneer of the transition from fashion dolls to child dolls that began with his early bebes of the 1870's.  Borrowing ideas for jointing from the Orient, he adopted the Motchsmann or taufling body that by using bisque or paper mache for the head, shoulders, hips, lower arms and legs, and using stuffed muslin for the midsection, elbows and knees, made for a child doll that allowed for movement and lifelike flexibility.  This model (13"), with the closed mouth and stationery neck, is all in bisque and muslin, has cobalt enamel eyes and a very pale, almost white complexion.

She has a closed dome head, flat unpierced ears, delicate shading, and statue like molding of all her body parts, including her derriere, typical of this very early stage in doll production.  She only has repair to the left thumb and forefinger, a wonder for a child's toy made of porcelain and of this age.  Her original strawberry blond, mohair wig is very sparse, so she has a replacement mohair wig of a very similar shade.  Her layers and layers of antique cotton and organdy clothing make for quite a dreamy presentation, along with her antique lace bonnet.

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Circle Dot Bru $16,950.

From the early years of the Bru production, just after the Brevete bebe, came the Circle Dot Bru, with her highly sculpted facial features and powerful persona.  She has oversized, almond shaped and very blue paperweight eyes, mauve eye shadow, soft browns and lush lashes, full molded lips with a pronounced tongue in between, and angelic blush over pale, pale bisque.  The back of her swivel head is marked with the full circle and dot, and her bisque shoulder plate has subtle, pre-adolescent molded breasts.

At roughly 19" tall, she has a sturdy, gusseted leather body, with bisque lower arms and cherubic molded hands.  Her body has some conservative patching to protect the original healthy structure.  She has an abundant antique blond mohair wig, her pierced ears and turquoise glass bead earrings that match her chest-length necklace with gold metal pendant. She has traveled through life with and extended collection of wardrobe pieces, all of them genuine and special in their simplicity that so represents the early bebe style.

In addition to very special and detailed undergarments with pleating and lace trim, she had three beautifully trimmed cotton dresses that can be worn alone or as ensembles, with the simpler ones providing the extra fill of an "under-dress", a smart, pleated grey wool coat with striped silk lining, opulent lace and silk bonnet and of course a deluxe cotton night gown with more pleating and lace trim.  Antique leather shoes and knit stockings complete her loveliness.

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Rare Lantenier Character "Toto" $775.00

A bundle of joy named "Toto" by the Lantenier firm in the town of Limoges, this rare character toddler does not show up too often.  She is 12 1/2" tall, has the unusual hazel glass eye color seen mainly from this factory, an open closed mouth with molded teeth top and bottom, pale bisque for the later vintage doll of 1920 that she is, and a wispy antique blond, original mohair wig.

She has a super chubby, five-piece composition toddler body with an unusual, thick paint surface that, at first look seems repainted, but after black lighting reveals that it is the original, luxurious coat.  Her youthfully posed hands and feet truly bring her toddler spirit to life.  She wears a turquoise cotton dress and matching velvet bow in her hair that could very well be original, as well as her cotton ribbed socks and leatherette black shoes.

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Rare SFBJ 245 Googly $2975

The French aspect really comes through with this joyfully smiling child , who has that extra dimension of "peculiar" that only the French could add.  It is an idealization of the normal, almost a theatrical persona, and it is brilliant.  This darling example is 8” tall, has blue glass sleep eyes, a closed, grinning mouth in which the molded teeth can be seen hiding between the lips, but having been intentionally painted the lip color by the factory, for a more watermelon smile.

The body is a stout, five-piece toddler style with molded and painted short boots of cinnamon brown.  The hands show some wear, but the condition overall is excellent. The auburn mohair wig is antique if not original. The Brittany regional outfit and muslin undergarments she wears are fresh, from the SFBJ factory production line, with only the complementary bonnet with ribbon trim being an antique addition.  The garments have never been removed and are stitched into permanent position.

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Tete Jumeau and So Much More

Bebe Reclame Size 2 11"

With Trunk and Trousseau ON LAYAWAY

A dear little Tete Jumeau size 2  (11"), of superb quality and condition, with deep blue paperweight eyes, closed mouth, long, russet antique mohair locks, fully jointed, pristine fully jointed Jumeau body, only marked with her size and artist's checkmarks as the Bebe Reclame for marketing through an exclusive Paris boutique or department store.  This genre often had the most beautiful of faces.

She comes well heeled with at least two factory original garments pictures, one being the original starched muslin chemise she wore from the factory.  She has several white cotton pieces including dresses, undergarments and a hankie, fancy hats, xtockings, a fine quality. leather coin purse she inherited from mama, a satin bebe corset, and two pairs of marked shoes, one being Jumeau size 2 in blue satin, and the other with the label from the Paris store who had the pleasure of marketing her.  Along side  her in her French, humpback trunk is her little white furry companion.

more French Dolls go to page 2

nellingdolls@gmail.com

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