Spectacular 23 1/2" ( 59cm ) pink lustre china head doll, from the late 1840's, with most dramatic modeling and painting of hair and facial features. The head is extremely heavy and unusually thick porcelain, and although of exceptionally good quality, neither resembles the dolls made by KPM or Meissen, but is as equally, if perhaps not even superior, fine and realistic in creating a portrait of a real person and capturing the spirit and style of the period. This head has almond shaped blue eyes with dramatic decoration of the eye shading and modeling of the eyelids, a long aqua line nose, well detailed mouth, rich coloring of the cheeks, and an unusual hairstyle with ash brown coloring, parted in the center revealing the white scalp underneath, and drawn back to form nine well defined vertical " corkscrew " curls which rest just above the neckline. Although there are no molded comb marks in the top part of the hair, the hair is shaded to simulate the individual hairs as if it were an oil painting rather than a doll head. The body is antique stuffed muslin with antique white leather arms with individually stitched fingers, and she is beautifully costumed in a two piece printed cotton dress with " Greek Key " cotton ribbon edging, antique white cotton underwear, and antique red leather boots. A wonderful, rare, early, and large doll for the most advanced collector and antique china dolls. US$ 16,500.

Beautiful and rare 20" ( 51cm ) 1840's German pink lustre china shoulder head doll of KPM quality, incised inside the shoulder with a "3", and an illegible green stamp under glaze, with chocolate colored hair pulled back and covering the ears, and formed into an extended bun in back. The coloring of the porcelain is a creamy pink with darker cheek coloring , blue eyes, well defined lips, and separately molded upper lids with eyeliner. There are a few color rubs in places on the painted hair as well as a slight loss of glaze to the very tip of the nose, but this is to be expected of a doll of this age. The body is antique firm white leather and she is dressed in all period clothing consisting of a pink printed cotton dress with lace edged collar and sleeves, antique white cotton undergarments, pink ribbed cotton stockings, and period dark brown leather ankle length boots. Dolls such as this are rarely found and truly are a piece of history as well as a desirable doll for an advanced collector. US$ 7,950.

17 3/4" ( 45cm ) so-called " Grape Lady " glazed porcelain shoulder head doll from the early 1860's with lovely pink lustre tint, rosy cheeks, blue painted eyes, black eyeliner and red accent line above the eyes, black hair with wavy curls in front, slight center part with the hair drawn back and covered by a painted snood with white headband with lavender lustre trim and a cluster of molded pink grapes and a green leaf in the center. The " Grape Lady " comes with either pink or lavender grape clusters but the pink grape version is thought to be found less frequently. She is on her original antique stuffed muslin body with brown leather forearms ( a few splits as can be observed in the photos ), and is beautifully costumed in a dark pink floor length muslin lace with white gauze trim, and an overskirt of sheer lighter pink crystal taffeta with pinked edging, floral ribbon trim simulating the grape flowers and leaves, and sheer ecru lace sleeves and long pink ribbons tied in back. In addition she wears lovely antique red leather fashion boots with two buttons on each side, and white cotton underclothing. All in all a beautiful and hard to find doll with well thought out presentation of costuming to highlight the desirable hair style. SOLD

Early 1870's parian shoulder head with head looking downward and slightly to the right, with elaborate upswept blond hairstyle which is parted in the center with tight ringlet curls framing the forehead, drawn back leaving the ears exposed, and then braided and brought back upward leaving dangling curls draping to the neckline. She has pierced ears with tiny blue bead drop earrings, and painted blue eyes. She is not quite yet an adult but neither a small child, but perhaps a girl of about 10-11 years of age going to her first grown up event. She is mounted on a gusseted leather body with joints at the hips with curved tinted bisque forearms. The clothing is incredible with a fine lace skirt over beige taffeta with embroidered flowers, and a jacket which is waist length in front with a bustle-like effect in back and decorated with the same blue bead buttons that match the earrings. The shoes are gold leather slippers with gold rosettes. A lovely little doll and a sort of a " child fashion " in her day. US$ 825.