Nelling, Inc.
F r e n c h D o l l s
page 1, 2
(Click on photos to enlarge)
 |
 |
French Novelty "Tipper" $1195. |
 |
 |
| Usually called "tippers" for the motion of raising or lifting their hats when the torso is pressed downward, this little dandy has something else in mind as he playfully raises and lowers his paper mache lamb. Most probably an F.G. head with cornflower blue glass eyes, a closed mouth and pale bisque, he is all original from his tightly spiral-curl wig to his 18th century style silk costume with tights and slippers. Standing only 6" tall, he promises to entertain as he shows off his beloved toy! |
s s s
 |
The Birth of the Bru Bebe 11" |
 |
Bru Brevete $18,500. |
 |
 |
The first generation Bru bebe, or Brevete, has the true face of innocence that would usher in the enchanting line of youthful faces following in her footsteps over the next couple of decades. This sweet little thing has the special feel of a family doll with her hand made wig of rolled cotton, |
 |
 |
placed in rows around her head, and attached to her original pate. It frames her pale bisque face of softly molded and decorated features, gray-blue enamel eyes and rosy, pursed lips and plays in subtle harmony with her champagne faille and lace antique frock. Her leather body is in wonderful condition with just a few tiny rust spots and it retains its bright and preserved factory chest label. She is perfect throughout, except her right earring hole that is chipped through and her earring has been secured in that spot with some very aged glue. |
 |
s s s
 |
Jumeau Early Portrait 18" |
 |
Repaired $2850 |
 |
 |
An excellent opportunity to acquire a lovely Jumeau portrait for a very nice price. She is incised on the back of her neck with what could be a "9" but looks more like a "2". Her height of 18" could correspond with the early mark size 2, or the second series size 9, however the fact that she has more the look of a second series, the probable "2" mark on her neck is cause for some study and discussion. There were always exceptions to rules in doll production transition periods and that is part of the challenge and fun of collecting. She peers out from her pale bisque with blue paperweight eyes and gentle decoration. She has an antique French human hair wig over her original pate and a eight ball, chunky and marked Jumeau body with straight wrists. Making her quite affordable is an extensive, but invisible repair to her forehead around to the left side of her head. The neck area of her body also has some touch up. Clothing, undergarments and ivory leather shoes are all antique! |
 |
s s s
 |
 |
Lively Steiner Gigoteur $3450. |
 |
 |
 |
With production spanning over a period of twenty-five years, the Steiner Gigoteur's family album portrays a widely varying collection of expressions, features and personalities. From the early decade of the 1870's comes this vivacious example with inquisitive spiral eyes of light blue enamel, open mouth with two rows of teeth, fiery auburn skin wig, rosy cheeks over pale bisque, and of course, a working "Mama, Papa" crier that punctuates her head, arm and leg movement upon winding. Her unusually high dose of personality is complemented by her two piece factory cotton paisley dress and matching bonnet. Her body is in nice condition, with her left hand and arm and big toe having some repair and a crack in the compo of the top left arm. 17 1/2" tall. |
 |
s s s
 |
Impressive Bru Jne. 22 1/2" |
 |
Marked Body 18,750. |
 |
 |
 |
The grace and softness of this Girard period Bru Jne size 10 girl are certainly in line with that of the Chevrot era, however we find this stunning face on its original wood and composition body that is marked on the back, "Bebe Bru 10". Her dark brown eyes, pale, creamy bisque, full and outline lips, gentle shading of eyelids and cheeks and abundant antique mohair wig make for a stunning doll. Circa 1889, she models a dress of antique lace and antique silk chapeau with dramatic black accents. Undergarments are all antique and her Bru-like shoes are antique and deluxe like she is. |
 |
 |
s s s
 |
Seldom Seen
Size 1 F.G. Bebe! |
 |
All Original Boy and Box $2450. |
 |
 |
A treasure preserved in pristine condition, this F.G. size 1 boy is the scroll mark bebe, and only 8 1/2" tall, with blue paperweight eyes, a closed mouth, pale bisque, and a five-piece composition body that is jointed at the shoulders and hips. Completely all original from head to toe, and contained in his original box, he wears a festive silk outfit that is somewhat frayed and has never been removed. |
 |
s s s
 |
 |
Jumeau "Depose" Bebe Size 5 ON LAYAWAY |
 |
 |
 |
This is when the word "cupcake" is fitting to describe a particular example of a doll that just has that special something. Sweet, lovely to look at, endearing and then more sweet. She is the model with the name "Depose Jumeau" incised at the back of the head and she has her distinct look, with blue paperweight eyes in a shyly smaller eye cut, pale, angelic bisque and very gentle decoration and she seems to be in quite original presentation. Her honey brunette human hair wig, pate and neck coil are definitely original and possibly her cotton and lace frock and undergarments. If her size five, antique French shoes with the "star" mark were given to her later, the fit over her pale blue crocheted socks is astounding. Equally astounding is her straight wrist, stamped Jumeau body that is in impeccable condition. Wonderful girl. |
 |
s s s
 |
Circle Dot Bru 13 1/2" |
 |
Size 2 SOLD |
 |
 |
An example of the second generation Bru or the Circle Dot period that holds nothing back in presence and personality. She has a truly "rich" look, having no referral to degree of affluence, but having everything to do with her depth and appearance. She has blue paperweight eyes that seem to look through to her soul, a pouty, full mouth, pale, angelic bisque with very defined molding, and a voluminous skin wig of platinum curls. Her leather body is in good condition, very sturdy, but with patching around the left knee and the toe area. Her head and shoulderplate are marked with the size number "2" and she wears her original size 2 early Bru shoes with "B in oval" insignia. Her antique, pleated wool frock and antique felt and feather chapeau are adorned with an antique plaid silk sash and bow. |
 |
s s s
 |
 |
Paris Bebe 15" ON LAYAWAY |
 |
 |
| From 1892, after Jumeau won their patent lawsuit with Danel et Cie, comes this attractive mold with character tendencies called the "Paris Bebe". The expected fine work of the Jumeau firm and then some, with her large blue paperweight eyes, full rose-toned mouth, pale bisque and cherub-like molding and original blond mohair wig and pate, does not fail to please loves of a superb example. She has a fully marked head with "Paris Bebe 6" stamp and her fully jointed body is stamped with the Eiffel Tower mark. There is some discoloration to her lower arms and legs, possibly from being displayed over the years. She wears what appears to be her original red silk frock and size 6 Jumeau signed shoes. Her antique lace bonnet tops off her straight forward beauty. |
more French Dolls go to page 2
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!