The cloth dolls created by Roxana Cole of Ripley, Mississippi, starting in 1880, are so very rare, later towards 1900 made by her daughter in law, Molly Hunt Cole.  Leave it to the renowned collection of Sheryl Shirran, to have not one, but two of them, this being the boy doll and the one in excellent condition.  The girl doll is separately listed on this page.  The boy’s body is firmly stuffed, tightly woven muslin with a stitched-on head, with the only pronounced detail of facial molding being a slightly rounded nose and chin, visible in a profile view. 

Due to research, the construction and detail similarities to the Roxanna Cole boy doll shown on this page, we can confidently say that this too, is a Cole doll, and a very early one.  It has the same attributes with the flat face with slightly raised nose and chin on the profile, the tri-sectioned head with round piece in the back, and painted, pleasant expression, though faded and darkened with time.  She also has the firmly stuffed, tightly woven muslin, stitched on head, and stitch-jointing as shoulders elbows and hips. 

 The chunky cloth body is jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, with the lower arms also being oil-painted, and having stitch-detailed hands.  Age is approximately from the time of 1900.  The original costume has areas of great aging, but understandably so, due to the types of silky fabrics and trims used.  Some strands of red and gold thread is saved in a pocket which was probably part of tassels that hung from the edges of the hat.  It looks most similar to a Chinese Ching or Martha Chase Doll, but the quality and presence of this example truly sets it apart from other examples that turn up. 

One of a kind, early black American cloth (20") doll with stuffed stockinette head and body, circa 1880.  Her friendly face has black shoe button eyes, black yarn hair and a red painted mouth with painted white teeth peeking through a subtle smile.  Her red print, antique clothing is original and resting securely on her lap is a small companion cloth doll that was left as found under her arm. 

An elusive, French leather baby from the early 1920’s who sits in a German Marklin carriage with the original, but very worn hood. The original, cream-painted metal surface of this strong, quality carriage has some wear, which is expected.  The baby is jointed at the shoulders and hips of her smooth, flesh tinted, all leather body, and her pressed leather face has suffered puckering of the head over her displaying years.  The painting is intact as are the textured accents to her molded blond short hair.

Dressed in her original, bold red outfit with peachy contrasting borders and red felt shoes, is a black felt doll that has great similarities to a Lenci Mascotte, with painted, surprised features and curly, short black mohair locks.  She belonged to an avid Lenci collector, many of whose prized Lencis are for sale on the Miscellaneous page. 

Oil painted in the 1890’s by Emma Adams in Owego, NY, we have the first of two Columbian cloth doll examples being offered.  This dolls was painted with a very light touch, subdued hues of color and delicate strokes.  Her primitive face has soft, brown eyes, finely drawn nose structure, and almost heart-shaped orange-red lips.  Her head is painted in light tones, including her short, softly stroked, brown curls, pale complexion and gently rouged cheeks. She even has finely painted lines to suggest the skin folds at the corners of her mouth and over her chin. 

From the Art Doll Movement in 1920’s Germany came the artist, Dora Petzold and her thoughtful character children.  Using pressed cardboard or composition for the face and head, and various cotton fabrics for the bodies (this one having the Dora Petzhold mark on the derriere), these well dressed dolls catered to the elegant lady and boudoir doll customers of the day.  This slender young lady has a skillfully painted face with two-tone brown eyes, a bit of highlight color on the eyelids for depth, pale brows, a long nose and salmon pink painted closed lips. 

Her soft, short hair is of blond mohair and her slender, firm cloth body is jointed at the shoulders and hips, with the added movement of a head that swivels.  A vivid, mustard gold felt fabric is the prominent aspect of her original coat dress and matching cloche hat, with the coat having cream wool felt collar and cuffs.  Underneath is her one-piece original cotton undergarment and she wears her original socks and antique leather shoes that may also be original.    18 1/2" Tall.

An early cloth girl with an appealing primitive quality, combined with a refined elegance.  The one-of-a-kind quality of these cloth dolls is so enchanting, when at the same time they remind you of something you have admired before.  Was she painted in the likeness of a family member, with her large and soulful brown eyes, rosy, pink, full lips and short cropped, honey-blond curls around her face?  She has a swing-jointed cloth body with leather arms, and stitched, moccasin type bootines cover her quite husky feet. 

Poupee Fabrette Cloth Lady in Purple

$950. (Still Available)

Poupee Fabrette Cloth Lady in Brown

This one is SOLD

These two ladies came to us recently as sort of a mystery. Of course their similarity to side-glancing French boudoir dolls or Italian lady dolls was clear, however the nature of their model stance, life-like poses and intricate costume details kept us hunting for more information. Then, while dealing with completely separate doll collection, what surfaced but one more of these sultry ladies. To have never seen one before, then to fall upon three of them from two unrelated sources was intriguing. Finally, we unearthed a past auction lot that featured ten of these figures in one lot that brought an astounding $19,500.00 years ago. And in that lot are three familiar faces, as the sold lot was probably broken up and the dolls sold individually, with three of them now being in our possession. 

They are called “Poupees Fabrette” and the lady in browns and blues wears a smart outfit from the 1880's, stands on a wooden pedestal and her wire armature holds a matching muff with her costume. The other lady in lavender depicts a high fashion female of the 1860's wearing an elaborate, two piece silk suit with metallic trim, a ruched chiffon over-skirt and dramatic drop sleeves on her button up, fitted jacket. Both of them have feather adorned chapeaux over their tightly curled locks of hair. The fabric of both dresses have weak spots that are melting, but both dolls display very nicely.  They are priced separately however a price for both is negotiable.

His polo outfit scores First Place with the vivid red felt polo jacket, cream felt riding breeches with saddle area reinforcements, a cream felt knotted tie stuffed into the lapels of the jacket, a black felt riding hat and his original wooden polo stick with braited leather handle. Last but not least are the serious, black leather, knee-high riding boots of high detail and quality, onto which are mounted authentic metal spurs. 

Dating from the early 1900's, this black cloth doll in her colorful outfit is quite charming! She has a face with features created by strategic stitching that creates a protruding nose, and her eyes, brows and mouth are created with embroidered thread. She even has some white stiching between the red lips and giving her a dot of light in each eye!

Resting in her original, labeled factory box, is this spunky Lenci Mascotte girl (9"), dressed in her original “sweeper” outfit, holding her straw broom with wooden handle. She has light blue, side glancing painted eyes, long blond hair with a top bun and a slightly olive complexion.

Her costume is an orange-red and crème checkered felt dress with crème fabric apron, crème socks and orange-red felt shoes. The red color has faded somewhat but there are no mothholes visible. The box is is good condition, with wear at the corners of the lid.  Cara Bambina!

LW