147) French Fashion doll poupee. Rare Louis Doleac. ANTIQUE. Petite. Exquisite.

Description

From my personal collection. Rare and gorgeous 11 ½” cabinet size antique French poupee fashion doll. She was made by Louis Doleac, a very rare maker of Parisian luxury dolls.
Unlike many French fashion ladies, she has a very pretty, younger face with a sweet expression. She is in overall excellent condition.
Since they are so rare, they demand high prices.
This rare beauty has
NO DAMAGE to head or shoulder plate. She is NOT a reproduction.
She has a delicate 5” circumference French-cut swivel socket head (pressed) on a shoulder plate.
Top of forehead to neck socket is about 2".
Her
French fashion
leather body is very curvy and looks hand stitched. She has a tiny waist, a very full derrière, and straight legs with shapely calves.
The outlining on her mouth (especially between her lips), her pale blue almond shaped paperweight eyes and her coloring are gorgeous (apparently some of his dolls had painted ceramic eyes, but these are glass). She has a replaced pate and curly blonde mohair wig that is beautiful on her. She is marked on the top of the back of her head (see below).
From a description of another Doleac for sale: He made only a few dolls from 1870-72 for prestigious Paris shops.
I have also been told that FG made heads for him from 1881-85 and Doleac assembled and dressed them. I am not sure which is correct, or if both are.
Overall great condition (See condition details below).
Included are what I believe are her original wig and straw bonnet as well as the silk drawers and pink stockings (with holes) she arrived in. I will also send what is left of her shattered skirt (so you can see original color). I am happy to answer questions or provide more pictures (the 12 allowed were not enough).
Buy-It-Now or make an offer. She is really exceptional and rare.
Provenance provided by the person from whom I bought her several years ago:
“A French Fashion antique original bisque doll dating to 1860 to 1880. This doll was in a glass dome case for the past 50 years in a two-story Victorian home in deep south Louisiana. Her son at age 85 died a few years ago and the family is just now letting things go. His mom had her displayed with other dolls on beautiful tables along a spiral staircase (I saw the pictures). He left these dolls out on display for all the rest of his life even after his mom died many years ago. Her clothes are believed to be original.  They are very frail and delicate.”
Note
from Ama Suzy:
I suspect she was professionally re-dressed, at least partially, in the early 1900’s.
Condition
:
Her French cut swivel head has no chips, repairs or cracks (just loose strands of hair in photos, old glue, and side mold marks).  The end of her nose is a little paler than the rest of her face. There is some light soil. There are a few tiny blackheads from firing, but they do not detract from her beauty.
Ebayer suggested a picture showing neck without beads...no hidden damage!
Body is great. There are some rust stains on torso probably from an old stand, and some tiny pin holes on feet to keep shoe on. Some of her fingers have the rusty wires poking through and what appear to be patches around her elbows (her lacey gloves camouflage these issues very nicely). I didn’t want to take a chance of ruining the arms by removing her gloves. No leaks.
All the “original” green silk is VERY fragile and melting, but the pink silk and ecru lace are very good.
There is a rust stain on her “shell”/chemise (probably from old stand), otherwise clothes look great.
Terms
:
Be sure to look at all the photos since they are part of the description. I try to point out even minor flaws and provide a 100% money back guarantee if I missed anything serious (my eyes are not what they used to be). Payment through PayPal is expected within 3 days after close of sale. Buyer pays shipping and insurance (if needed). Actual postage is calculated based on zip code of winner. I ship only to US addresses. Breakable items will be carefully packed. I will do my best to answer questions. From non-smoking, animal free home. If there is a problem, please contact me through e-Bay e-mail before leaving feedback.
Marks:
2/0 ‘
(Apostrophe used since unable to print a dot in this position.)
NOTE
:
There is also a mark on her left shoulder, but I cannot make it out. Please ask for picture if interested.
Clothes:
She is beautifully dressed in a very well-made, perfectly fitted, hand stitched (except for plaid replacement skirt) 4 piece silk outfit. I was told clothes were original. However, I suspect she was professionally re-dressed in the early 1900’s.
Her outfit consists of a jacket over a sleeveless long “shell” or chemise, and an overskirt layered on top of a replacement underskirt. The “original” 3 pieces are shell-pink and trimmed in ecru cotton lace (which could be hand-made). The newer windowpane underskirt colors match the “original” pink and green outfit. It is trimmed with the ecru lace and green silk trim from her “original” green skirt. The matching detail in back was added and is very pretty.
Her sweet leather slippers with buckles look hand stitched. She also came with an antique cotton handkerchief embroidered with an
M
.
Her newer items include: a petticoat with ruffle and drawers made from fine white antique cotton, trimmed with newer cotton lace and bows; long stocking made from antique cotton netting; an unusual hair decoration, and newer hanging items that a lady would use (mirror, scissor and keys).
The dark wig, straw bonnet, silk drawers and pink stockings (with holes) that she came with will stay with her.
A more experienced collector said she is a young girl, not a lady. Her overskirt could be lowered and/or plaid underskirt could be shortened or removed if you agree.
If you need additional information or pictures, please let me know.
Leather Body
:
Original. She has a slim, long wasted kid leather French fashion body with straight legs and smooth cut around shoulder. It is leather all the way to the bottom of her feet.  It looks hand sewn. Her arms are also leather. Each individual finger is wired. She has a 4 ¼” waist; large French derrière and shapely calves. She is amazingly clean for her age with only light soil and some rust spots (probably from an old stand). The body is in great shape, especially considering her age.
Details
:
Gorgeous coloring. Incredible closed, outlined mouth and original pale blue paperweight eyes with fine black upper and lower lashes. Multi-stroke brows match her hair (left brow is a little lower). Red dots in nostrils and at corner of eye. Pierced ears through earlobe with earrings made of antique beads.
NOTE
: There is leather precisely fitting between neck and shoulderplate.
Wig:
Beautiful curly blonde
mohair wig is a perfect replacement. Pink ribbon holds it in an up-do. Replacement pate. Original brown wig included.
Length:
About 11 1/2".
Dressed weight
:
About 11 ounces with stand (plus box and packing materials for shipping).
Stand
:
Included.
Packing
:
Her head will be stuffed for protection (as I received her). Her wig will be pinned, not glued so you can adjust position to your liking.
Postage:
Priority Mail is 1-3 days.
Actual postage is calculated based on winner’s location.