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Nelling, Inc.

E a r l y   D o l l s

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Early Continental Wooden 28 1/2"

Religious Figure $4800.

From the silhouette of this fully jointed wooden figure, it can be dated back to the 18th century, probably carved in Italy or Germany.  His body is articulated at the ankles, knees, hips, waist, shoulders, elbows and wrists with rotating joints, his head pivots forward and back, and he has lifelike detail to his ears, hands and feet, not to mention his expressive yet peaceful facial features.  By the way his hands are posed, he can be attributed to representing the "Infant or Child of Prague".

His original paint surface is evident and has been brought back to life with a very fine layer of oil varnish that will also protect it from the elements.  His intaglio eyes are a deep, ocean blue, his cheeks have a rich blush, while his slightly parted lips seem ready to speak. He has an added antique human hair wig and there has been an old reinforcement to one hip with wood putty.  He wears a tunic of antique linen and metallic trim and is awesome in size and presence.

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German "Grodnertal' Tuck-Comb Wooden 14 1/2"

Amazing Original Condition $4795.

Although the wooden dolls from the beginning of the 19th century were made in many areas of Germany and even Austria, the name we have most come to associate with them is Grodnertal, just one of those regions.  While it is quite common for one of these dainty beauties to have at least some touch up to the painted areas of the fully jointed wooden body, this example amazingly has absolutely none!  She is in near mint, pristine original condition with beautifully preserved paint surface and original clothes and undergarments.  There is just a small area of chipping to the edge of her mustard gold tuck comb and it must have been a very ingenious young owner who wanted to protect a fine split in the wood torso by wrapping some strands of cotton string around the bottom of the torso and covering them carefully with red sealing wax!  An endearing and earnest act of preservation!

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"Maggie" Georgian Wooden Girl   ON LAYAWAY

Although she was born later in the 18th century, this young lady (17") has some of the attitude and details of her earlier family members, exhibiting the evolution that was constantly taking place in doll making.  A child of the 1780 George III period, she has "pupil-less", almond shaped enamel eyes, highly carved ears, an earnest profile, pale rose skin tone and quite the rosy cheeks.  Her carved wooden body is jointed at the hips and knees, with upper cloth arms and lower wooden arms with "fork" hands.  Long, brunette human hair falls behind her shoulders to show off her very period-appropriate day dress and bonnet made from antique silk.  Underneath she has an antique quilted petticoat, cotton slip and stockings and hand-stitched cotton shoes.

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Sweet Motchman Infant ON LAYAWAY

You can see the inspiration drawn from the paper mache dolls of the Orient in the body style of the Motchman babies, this one being 12 1/2" tall and in all original condition.  The paper mache swivel head, shoulderplate, hips, arms, legs and separately jointed hands and feet are all joined together with muslin attachments, giving the baby a truly lifelike feel of a helpless little one in your hands.  The body style of this 1860's era doll was also borrowed by the French firm of Steiner for some of its early bebes.  This darling one has dark brown enamel eyes and pale wisps of hair painted on the sides and back of the head.  The right cheek has a manufacturing flaw that is an indentation in the paper mache, having been covered by just the routine detailing and coloring of the cheeks in the production line.  Just an early toy that is now a treasure for someone.

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Trio of German Wooden Grodnertals $1995.

What an entertaining bunch of tiny German woodens!  Three jointed Grodnertal family members, circa 1820, and all dressed by the same hand in that time period.  They are all approximately 4" tall, with one looking like her legs were replaced at some point.  Costumed in varying silk fashions, and stored in an early, circular wood box on a bed of straw, they are sure to find a place in your dollhouse, in an early setting, or in the arms of one of your early dolls.

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English Wooden Infant $3975.

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Little Wooden Seamstress's Companion $2475.

Grodnertal peg wooden pin cushion, only 6 7/8"" tall, circa 1810, and totally delightful!  She is a combination of a carved wooden doll with fully jointed arms, and also a pin cushion, retaining nearly every single of its tiny pins that form an intricate pattern on her "skirt". The dramatic, crimson silk of her detailed costume is in excellent condition for its age, with some loss to the cotton net trim around the collar and hem. The paint on her face and hands and the feathered bangs framing her forehead are in very nice original condition.  A true example of a doll with form and function!

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Early Wax Infant 9 1/4"

Rare Tiny Size $995.

Early English poured wax infant, circa 1850, with painted eyes that are so defined, they look like glass eyes.  This diminutive wax has baby fine attached hair, a chubby, molded face, and such lifelike features for such a small creature.  Look at the content smile beaming from the rosy cheeks!  The original body is cloth with wax arms and lower legs, all of which have surface discoloration from the ages.  The inset lace gown and undergarments are all original with an antique bonnet added that compliments everything wonderfully.

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The tiniest of German peg woodens that can be found!  Inside an early oval wooden box sit a pair of them, one dressed as a girl (3/4") and the other not dressed at all (7/8").  The better to see the jointing and articulation of the carved wood bodies that can sit or stand!  With an up close examination, you can enter their miniature world and see their originally painted faces.  $395. including early box.

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Brother and Sister by the Seaside 7 1/2" Paper Mache or Composition

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Milliners' Model ca. 1840 $795

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English Wooden Baby 11 1/2"

With Family Provenance $4750.ON LAYAWAY

With written record of being purchased in London in as early as 1805, this unassuming wooden baby suddenly opens up the door to questions and thoughts about a young life two centuries ago.  At the time mentioned on both sides of her accompanying family note, she already had some age to her as she was probably carved in the 1790's.  She has dark enamel eyes, a round face with an endearing, simple profile, carved wood body with cloth upper arms and fork hands with some wear and finger loss.  Her straight legs are jointed at the hips and alas, she has lost one of her original "stockings".  The fine cotton slip and gown may be original with the antique wisps of blond mohair being replaced.  To display her in the arms of a larger wooden would be divine.

Circa 1790

A Simple Treasure

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China with Wood Body 11"

Brown Eyes ON LAYAWAY

Rare brown-eyed 1860's china with fully articulated wood body, pink tint complexion to shoulderhead and lower arms, finely painted features and covered wagon hairstyle.  Also noteworthy is the fact that both her hands are open, she has blue painted garters and black molded boots.  There is repair to the tip of her left foot and a factory "bubble" on the inside of her left wrist.  Her blue cotton print dress is that of a young girl and is antique, as are her undergarments, including pantaloons, slip, and camisole.  $2995.

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Izannah Walker SOLD

Showing her true colors is this 18 1/2" Izannah Walker cloth doll of 1840, with totally original wear and no repaint.  The chapters of her life are endearingly shown in some areas of her face and quite a bit on her hair and boots, but for the most part, she still retains her original vitality and incredible detail.  It is wonderful to see the original oil paint strokes to her chestnut eyes, slightly rose cheeks and lips, mahogany curls and pale complexion.  She is a primitive oil painting that has come alive in fantastic 3-D!

She has wispy brushstrokes that frame her face at the temples, and several ringlets that surround the back of her head and the paint on her arms, hands and stitched fingers is in excellent condition.  I believe her original body has a fine cotton over cover done long, long ago, possibly by the same owner who wanted to retain as much originality to the body as was retained by taking great care of the entire doll. The two-piece dress is of the appropriate style for her era, but not antique, however the undergarments and bonnet seem original to her day.

nellingdolls@gmail.com

Post Office Box 893985  n  Temecula, CA 92589

      Cell (503) 577-9815   n Home Phone (951) 308-1239 n Fax (951) 308-1285  

Don't  forget to look at the Miscellaneous page!

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