Nelling, Inc.
French D o l l s
page 1, 2
(Click on photos to enlarge)
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Bru Bebe Modele 16 1/2" |
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The Ultimate Bru $29,750. |
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The versatility achieved by the jointing of the Bru Modele bebe body is unparalleled and poses the question of just how to display this magnificent doll. Should she be at play, seated, holding an object, reclining, practicing ballet, or just posing for a family photo? Should she be dressed in a fabulous frock or should she be wearing nothing but her wig? As the Brevete model, she portrays a very young child with haunting blue paperweight eyes, a closed mouth, wonderfully pale bisque and delicate shading, Her antique blond mohair wig is pulled up with a cascade of graceful curls down her back. |
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She has a total of twelve joint sections, including the wrists and ankles and her body has been refreshed to be returned to its graceful, aged patina. The carving of the fingers and toes is so lifelike. She wears an elaborate aquamarine frock of antique silk and trims, an antique chapeau of velvet and silk ribbon, and very special are her marked Bru shoes. At the back left rim of her head is what looks to be a factory hairline with a pale amber color baked in. It most probably was a part of her from the beginning. For the usually soft expression of the Brevete, she has quite an intensity about her. |
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Tete Jumeau Size 9 $4950. |
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A copper-haired beauty with a striking presence, this Tete Jumeau (20") is a delight of a doll. Her expressive, deep blue paperweight eyes framed by lush lashes and creamy bisque with soft rose blush are in perfect harmony with her fiery red, original mohair wig. (Wig is sparse at the forehead.) She has a closed mouth, original pate, and fully jointed, stamped Jumeau body with jointed wrists. At both sides of her crown, there is an inherent firing separation near the mold seams, from her time of manufacture and there is crackling to the surface of her finish on both toe areas of her feet. She is at play in a cotton factory dress from her era, all antique undergarments, silk antique bonnet and marked Jumeau leather shoes. |
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S.F.B.J. 229 Character $2250. |
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One of the rarer molds from the S.F.B.J line of characters(14 3/4") with personality plus in his blue glass "jewel" eyes, jovial open-mouthed grin, creamy blushed bisque and original blond mohair wig. This hard to find head is sometimes found on a walker body and this is one of those times! When his legs move, his head turns from side to side, putting into motion a clever mechanism in his seven piece body counting his jointed wrists. Typical of many bodies from this company, he has quite a bit of paint chipped off his left leg, upper right arm and both hands. His sporty peach and cream knit outfit could be original and gives him a festive quality. |
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Bru Teteur Petite (13") ON LAYAWAY |
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After having spent many years in my personal collection, this early "infant" must make way for the constant growth happening in even my doll cases. The nursing Bru, or Bru Teteur" was an innovation from the Bru factory that used the traditional bisque bebe head, but with a hole driven between the closed lips to accommodate the rubber nipple of a glass nursing bottle. Inside the head was placed a rubber compartment, much like a hot water bottle, that could take in the water from the nursing bottle, then with the turn of a key protruding from the back of the head, the water could be flushed out again. It sounds painful, but at that time, it was just more playtime entertainment for children that were seeing dolls become such a lively part of their childhoods. The head and shoulderplate are marked "Bru Jne 2" and the Chevrot body has gracefully posed bisque arms and wood lower legs with carved feet. She had brilliant, blue paperweight eyes and her original blond mohair wig. Her antique infant gown, lace-trimmed bonnet and pique cape/jacket are all of the typical fabric and style of the original garments used for the Bru Teteur, therefore, maybe original. |
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Jumeau Early Portrait 18" |
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Repaired ON LAYAWAY |
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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! |
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Post Office Box 4327 n Burbank, CA 91503
Cell (818) 738-4591 n Home Phone (818) 562-7839