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Antique 10” Sonneberg Belton Type Bisque Doll Closed Mouth Original Shoes
Description:
Darling antique German bisque doll of the desirable Sonneberg “Belton-type,” dating to approximately 1875–1885. Measuring about 10 inches tall, she is an especially appealing cabinet-size example with an exceptionally pretty and delicate expression.
She has a closed mouth with a beautifully modeled lower lip, large inset blue glass eyes, finely painted upper and lower lashes, softly feathered brows, rosy cheeks, and pierced ears. Her solid-dome bisque head is marked simply “1” on the back. As is often the case with dolls of this type, no maker’s name is present. The attribution is based upon her characteristic head construction, facial painting, closed mouth, and early body style.
She is mounted on her antique composition and wood ball-jointed body with the desirable early straight wrists. The body retains much of its original finish but shows expected wear, scuffing, paint loss, and age-related surface imperfections, particularly around the joints and lower legs.
Her beautiful teal-blue silk dress is very old and may be original to her. It is elaborately trimmed with antique lace at the collar, sleeves, and waist and has a wonderfully full period silhouette. The delicate silk and lace show age, fading, small losses, separation, and general fragility consistent with antique textiles.
She wears cream-colored stockings and a particularly charming pair of tiny original leather shoes. The shoes show expected wear from age; one retains its decorative buckle, while the buckle is missing from the other. Finding a small doll of this age still wearing such appealing original footwear is a special feature.
The blonde wig appears to be a later replacement. It is thick and full, offering many possibilities for restyling into curls, braids, or a more historically appropriate arrangement.
A wonderfully expressive and highly desirable little doll with tremendous presence despite her diminutive size. She would make a lovely addition to a collection of early German bisque dolls, Sonneberg dolls, French-market dolls, or fine cabinet-size dolls.
Details:
* Origin: Germany, Sonneberg region
* Date: Circa 1875–1885
* Type: Belton-type solid-dome bisque doll
* Height: Approximately 10 inches
* Marked “1” on the back of the head
* Closed mouth
* Inset blue glass eyes
* Pierced ears
* Antique composition and wood ball-jointed body
* Early straight wrists
* Very old silk and lace dress, possibly original
* Cream-colored stockings
* Original leather shoes; one buckle missing
* Later replacement blonde wig
* Doll stand and background accessories are not included
Condition:
Good antique condition with age-related wear. The bisque head presents beautifully. There is some wear to the lip coloring and minor marks consistent with age. The composition and wood body has scattered finish loss, scuffing, and wear around the joints. The antique costume is fragile and shows fading, small holes or losses, and other age-related deterioration. The original shoes are worn, and one is missing its buckle. Please review all photographs closely, as they form an important part of the condition description. Sold as an antique collector’s item.
Please review all photographs carefully as they are part of the description.
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