Bisque shoulder-head doll
Armand Marseille Dolls (fl.1885-1950s)
Category
Dolls
Date
Unknown
Materials
Bisque shoulder-head doll, glass, metal, leather, textiles
Measurements
Doll - 420 mm (height), Dress - 370 mm (length); 360 mm (width), Chemise - 226 mm (length); 155 mm (width), Underskirt - 250 mm (length); 255 mm (width), Pantaloons - 150 mm (length); 150 mm (width)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 660926
Summary
A female bisque shoulder-head 'Armand Marseille' doll with a stuffed leather body, with the clothes packed separately in the box. The doll has a bisque shoulder-head, badly cracked on the left, front and back, including an old repair. The doll has moulded and painted facial features with inset brown closing eyes. Her left eye has been pushed inwards. Her mouth is open to show her teeth. She has blonde hair, possibly real, which is arranged in strands at the top of her head, various pieces coming down to her shoulders. Part of her hair is missing around her forehead and the fabric material underneath can be seen. Her body is made of stuffed beige leather, jointed at the shoulders, wrists, hips and knees. The joints at the hips and knees are with fabric covered buttons with metal centres. The joints at the shoulders are very loose. The doll's hands and wrists are made of un-tinted bisque with broken fingers, particularly on her left hand. The doll's feet are made of brown cotton, with her left foot similar to a bandage. The doll's four items of clothing are as follows: A long cotton dress with long sleeves, trimmed with white lace at the collar, cuffs and hem. The dress is decorated with a blue, green and white large flower design. The waistband is in a 'V' shape. The dress opens at the back and fastens with three buttons, two of which are mother of pearl, the top one, white plastic. A white cotton sleeveless chemise trimmed with lace at the collar and the armholes. A white cotton underskirt trimmed with lace at the hem. Some of the lace has holes. The underskirt opens at the top of the waistband, part of the way down and fastens with two mother of pearl buttons. A pair of white cotton pantaloons, with an elasticated waist, trimmed with lace at the leg holes. Total number of items is 5.
Marks and inscriptions
Back of the doll's shoulders: '3200/ AM 3[slash]0 DE[P]'
Makers and roles
Armand Marseille Dolls (fl.1885-1950s), maker