The first-series Jumeau Portrait Bebe holds special importance for collectors due to its role in the transition from fashion dolls to child dolls, its dramatic simplicity bordering on the primitive, and its place at the start of the rich evolution of French Bebes over the next 20 years. This example (14 ½”) goes a step further in significance with its all-wood, fully jointed Jumeau body. It mirrors the silhouette of the classic eight-ball wood and composition bodies of early Jumeau Bebes, but every inch is crafted entirely of wood.

The first-series Jumeau Portrait Bebe holds special importance for collectors due to its role in the transition from fashion dolls to child dolls, its dramatic simplicity bordering on the primitive, and its place at the start of the rich evolution of French Bebes over the next 20 years. This example (14 ½”) goes a step further in significance with its all-wood, fully jointed Jumeau body. It mirrors the silhouette of the classic eight-ball wood and composition bodies of early Jumeau Bebes, but every inch is crafted entirely of wood.

.The paint is original, with some visible wear on the lower limbs. To preserve the costume’s excellent condition, it was not removed. At first glance, the three-piece burgundy wool mariner-style outfit—with ribbon-trimmed oversized sailor collar and wide silk waist sash—appears to be for a young girl. Upon closer inspection, under the long tunic are matching knee-length wool trousers, traditionally worn by a boy. The ensemble is completed with a matching mariner’s style wool nautical cap and burgundy stockings.

.The paint is original, with some visible wear on the lower limbs. To preserve the costume’s excellent condition, it was not removed. At first glance, the three-piece burgundy wool mariner-style outfit—with ribbon-trimmed oversized sailor collar and wide silk waist sash—appears to be for a young girl. Upon closer inspection, under the long tunic are matching knee-length wool trousers, traditionally worn by a boy. The ensemble is completed with a matching mariner’s style wool nautical cap and burgundy stockings.

The paperweight wraparound eyes are rich brown, the facial painting is pale and precise, the ears pierced, and the wig is original blond mohair. The back of the head bears the incised mark 2/0, consistent with this size in the earliest portrait series. Even the shoes are marked with the early Jumeau stamp, likely original along with the costume. Over the centuries, every owner has possessed something very special!

Her body is especially beautiful in its 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 brooch. On her feet, she wears cream-colored antique stockings and leather shoes. When it comes to A.T.’s, she has the “IT” factor… Take one look at her and you can’t stop looking! 

 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.    

Her body is physics in motion, with it’s heavy cardboard body that encases the clockwork type function that makes the composition arms and lower legs move when wound. The joints are underneath a leather covering and don’t forget the working voice box! Her dress has age and was made with antique fabric and trims, her white cream, side button boots are antique.  

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 has worn it since day one of her production. Depicting a girl from a country region of France, she is a study of late 19th-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 Jumeau portrait Bebe went through a brisk evolution of looks in a very short period of time, being the first half of the 1880s. 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 Jumeau portrait Bebe went through a brisk evolution of looks in a very short period of time, being the first half of the 1880s. 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 an antique, pale grey-blue silk frock with lace trim, gathered all around the lowered waist. Her undergarments are antique, as is her flower-adorned, woven straw hat.

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 an antique, pale grey-blue silk frock with lace trim, gathered all around the lowered waist. Her undergarments are antique, as is her flower-adorned, woven straw hat.

With the influx of Asian influence in 19th-century Europe, it is no surprise that it would inspire the presentations of vintage dolls, such as this luscious Bru Jne. 5 Bebe. Everything, from furniture and art to music, home décor accents and fabrics, jewelry, and fashion, offered examples featuring Asian themes, prints, patterns, and accents. And that is clearly visible with her antique Chinese silk costume with jumpsuit, embroidered robe, hat, and platform silk shoes, all displaying colorful fabrics, motifs, and trims genuinely Asian.

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.

Her lovely bisque hands in their ballerina pose are perfect, and on her chest is her original, Bru Jne factory label, still very intact! The era in which this Bru was made coincided with the introduction of the elusive Asian featured Bru Jne by Casimir Bru, and these brown-eyed examples feature traditional Bru Jne. Features were also offered in the costumes of the Orient.

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

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

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

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