Nelling, Inc.
E a r l y D o l l s
page 1, 2
(Click on photos to enlarge)
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Early Paper Mache Man from
Vierlande, $1,300. 13 1/2" |
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Early Paper Mache Woman from
Vierlande, $1,450 14" |
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From the early years of paper mache doll production, circa 1820-30, comes this finely detailed man, (and woman described below) most probably by Johann Friedrich Muller, who provided heads for many other doll companies of his time. He has molded, black painted hair with wisps of strands combed towards his forehead, glass eyes, closed, painted lips and very pale complexion with a hint of cheek color. His body if of cloth, with the legs being gessoed and oil painted with stockings and slipper-type shoes. The arms are of hard paper mache with detail fingers and the same pale painting as on the face and shoulder plate. The clothing is the regional costume of Vierlande, on the Northeastern border of Germany, somewhat near to Berlin, and he is all original and in excellent condition (sleeves of shirt darkened with age). Described below is his female partner, priced separately. |
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Hoping to stay with her mate, listed above, we have an early German paper mache lady, circa 1820-1830, most probably by Johann Friedrich Muller, who provided heads for many other doll companies of his time. She has a black painted head covering that suggests hair underneath with its surface holding. Also painted black is a widow’s peak in the center of her forehead and the black ties of her cap painted onto her chin area. |
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She, too, has glass eyes, closed, painted lips and very pale complexion with
a hint of cheek colorHer body is of cloth, with the legs being
gessoed and oil painted with stockings and slipper-type shoes.
The arms are of hard paper mache with detail fingers and the same
pale painting as on the face and shoulder plate.
The multi-layered and colorful clothing is the regional costume of
Vierlande, on the Northeastern border of Germany, somewhat near to Berlin,
and she is all original and in excellent condition (sleeves of shirt
darkened with age). Atop her
head is her original straw bonnet, fragile but wearable, with its original
black ribbon intact. |
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Early Peddler Grodnertal Wooden $4,950. |
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Having first been a part of Austria, then called South Tyrolea before World War 1, the Grodnertal region near Germany was home to the production of these fascinating wooden dolls. Adding to the warm, inviting charm of these dainty works of art, some were dressed to represent local peddlers of their assorted wares, that would carry a basket of necessities and delights to be purchased on the street. This particular 12 1/2" Grodnertal is an early one, detected by her egg-shaped, carved head, and the painted hair detail on her forehead. See the extended painted shadows and strokes that represent wisps of hair and curls below. She has painted blue eyes with human detail, a prim red upturned lips, and gently rouged cheeks. Her head and torso are one piece, while the limbs are jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. |
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Her feet are carved as her
orange painted little slippers.
Look at the impressive costume she wears that consists of a bold, black and
white striped skirt, a tiny brown print, long sleeved blouse, a white cotton
shawl and long white, lace-trimmed pantaloons, kept warm by her bright red,
hooded wool cape that can rest over her straw, silk covered bonnet.
Now let’s see what she has to sell in her original straw basket of
wares…You can spot knitting yarn, scissors on a presentation card as well as
a knife and fork on their card, socks, needles and a needle container,
household tools, a dangling glass bottle, a folding pocket knife, a pair of
mittens and some sewing trim on a card, and it goes on…the more you look! |
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English Wooden Child with Endearing Presence $10,500. |
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Along with representing a child, this late, George III English wooden (20") has that special something that only the esoteric changes of time and the natural combination of presentation details can provide. Carved by a wood worker at the very end of the eighteenth century, she has the simpler details of features typical of the examples from that time, but her simpatica personality makes her stand out and almost come to life. She has the darkest brown enamel eyes, one-stroke brows, long pronounced nose, demure smiling painted red lips, rosy complexion and rouged cheeks that combined together give her an endearing energy. |
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Her brunette, human hair curls are secured to the top of her head and the unrestored surface of her face shows the tracks of play and adoration starting 225 years ago! Acceptable and not distracting for a true lover of antique woodens. Her rounded head and simply carved torso are one piece, as are her carved wooden legs being only jointed at the hips. Her arms are of original kid leather, both of which have had a patch added at the elbows later on. Her feet are crudely carved then tinted in a cadmium red paint, with the left one having the front tip chipped off (hidden in the shoe). |
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Now to her original clothing, that consists of a pre-Regency, long gown of diaphenous fabric, having the new, linear silhouette that drew from the fashions of ancient Greece. She remarkably retains the matching cap in the same fabric, with the same silk ribbon pleated trim as the bodice of the dress. Not to mention the adorable silk slippers with a bit of metallic trim. The pillow with the embroidered “B” has been given to her, however the chair is not for sale and just a prop. |
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Mason Taylor Doll of Wood and Pewter $995. |
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Around the time of the early American wooden and metal doll of Joel Ellis came this very similar doll (11 1/2") from Mason Taylor of Springfield, VT, ca 1880. She has the distinctive, carved wood swivel head with different, blond painted hair, wood torso, arms and legs, and pewter hands and feet which are in a boot shape. |
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Much of the blue boot paint has worn off. Her meticulously jointed limbs
provide flexibility and ease of posing.
On the back of her right hip is some missing wood from some time ago
due to the equal aging color exposed.
It is tempting to display this doll without clothing so to appreciate
her unique, early construction. |
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Highly Unusual Couple with Metal Heads, Hands and Feet.
$995. for the pair |
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A
life of collecting is punctuated with those times we see something truly
different. While we are familiar
with the larger, child metal head dolls, this adult pair (10") is a
surprise in their diminutive size and extra detail.
Not only are the heads molded metal, so are the lower arms, legs,
hands and shoes. The bodies are
of stuffed cloth and made in the later 1800’s.
Ca 1865, they both retain their original paint and most probably
their original clothing. |
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Grodnertal Girl 10 1/2" |
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Tuck Comb $1,650. ON LAYAWAY |
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In humble, original condition and attire, we have an early wooden doll from Grodnertal, that is part of the regional history of German, Austria and Northern Italy, circa 1820. She has the early, egg-shaped carved head and a yellow painted, carved hair ornament, or tuck comb, with her whole body being of carved wood and jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Her black hair has swirling brush strokes that mimic curls at her forehead and her carved feet have painted cadmium red shoes. The multi-layers of dark and light, fine cottons and undergarments that make up her original costume are in very good condition, even her little humble fabric purse! |
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French Court Doll 13" |
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Hermaphrodyte $14,950. |
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Presenting a quite intriguing early doll that documents a volatile time in French Court history, the French Revolution and the chances that society was taking in life and art. These wooden character dolls represented life in the late eighteenth century and depicted individuals from the Royal Court in France, not to mention a variety of courtiers who lived in direct entourage to the King, Queen or Emperor. |
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These dolls varied in styling and were found to model numerous gowns and
costumes of the royal circles, and their bodies seemed to be similar in
construction, having gesso covered, carved wooden heads and torsos, with
fabric covered limbs attached with wire
armature.
And oft times, the dolls were classified as hermaphrodites since they
would have both female and male anatomy combinations, this female example
having the physically conflicting feature hidden under the costume. |
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The original gown of silk and lace offers some style variations as it has a dramatic, removable hooded cape and also a matching, decorated straw hat to add to the presentation. More photos showing the body are available on request. |
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Grodnertal Sisters 8" |
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Sold Separately or Together $795 EACH |
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What a fun couple of Grodnertal girls we have from a collection in Provence, in their original, complementary country attire. They are each approximately 8” tall, are all of carved wood, and are jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, with tiny, carved feet that are their painted slippers. |
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The
shape of their heads put them at around 1825, with their black painted hair
and eyes, prim red lips and healthy rouged cheeks.
Both of their ensembles are of antique printed cottons, with the
skirts actually being quilted, giving them an added crispness.
While they love each other’s company, they are not opposed to being
separated and sold apart. They are
priced separately, however, there will be a discount if they are
purchased as a pair. |
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Early China in Orig. Military Costume $695. |
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A bit of French military nostalgia comes to life here with this endearing wartime “water boy” (12 3/4") with the original uniform he would have worn on the battle grounds bringing water to the troops. He even carries his wooden barrel cantene hanging from a leather strap. The whole outfit is original, including the wooden clogs and the fabric, pointed cap he wears. He is an early German china, circa 1845-50, with a short hairdo, exposed ears, and rare wisps of side hair painted on his temples. Probably depicting the time of the Franco Moroccan war of the 1840's. |
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| His original body is of cloth while his arms are leather with stitched fingers. Over his simple, red cotton trousers, is a quite elaborate, long military wool jacket in navy blue, with boldly placed rows of gold metal buttons, additional red coard trim, white cotton underclothing and and apron as well. I had recently sold a smaller, French china water girl in a very similar outfit, also purchased in Paris! |
more Early Dolls go to page 2
Post Office Box 4327 n Burbank, CA 91503
Cell (818) 738-4591 n Home Phone (818) 562-7839
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