Bisque fashion doll with accessories
Object No. A10791
This doll is thought to have been made by the Parisian firm of Jumeau. This company's dolls were noted for their finely painted faces and beautifully made clothes. The company also produced a wide range of accessories for its dolls. This doll may once have had an extensive wardrobe; it still has tiny gloves that have never been worn, a hat in its own hatbox, and a feather muff. The doll is a reminder of the lavish presents given to some children in the mid 1800s when the concepts of childhood and imaginative play were being developed. It also reflects advances in mass production techniques which made bisque dolls more affordable than the earlier wax-headed dolls. The fine detail of the dolls, particularly the painting of eyes, cheeks and mouth, was completed by hand; ironically, many of the factory employees who did this work were children.
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Summary
Object Statement
Fashion doll, female, with accessories, possibly made by Jumeau, France, 1870-1880
Physical Description
Fashion doll, female, with accessories, possibly made by Jumeau, France, 1870-1880 Fashion doll with bisque head and shoulder plate, kid body and jointed limbs with articulated fingers. The head features blue glass eyes, finely painted facial features and pierced ears; blonde hair is stitched to the head and styled in a hair net at the nape of the neck. The doll is dressed in a fine cream cotton bodice and skirt trimmed with light brown piping. The bodice features: an open square collar; lace trim at the neck and cuffs; peplum trimming with brown satin bows on the front and back; decorative brown buttons and faux pockets at the back; and a decorative row of brown buttons at the cuffs and at centre front of the bodice. A matching row of buttons extends down the centre front of the apron. The skirt consists of three layers including the decorated apron, a finely pleated layer and a plain layer. Beneath the skirt is a knee length chemise with hem trimmed in lace; a muslin petticoat, pleated at the hem with a lace trim; and cotton drawers, pleated at the knee with a lace trim. The doll also wears knee length wool stockings with black leather side-buttoned ankle boots with gold-coloured buttons. Doll's accessories include: Cane hat box, lined in blue cotton with blue elastic fastenings for the hat inside; Green cylindrical cardboard box and lid for feather muff; Black feather muff with black fabric interior; Single leather buckle shoe with cardboard sole and metal buckle; Pair of brown leather gloves; Pair of cream leather gloves and, Cream fabric hat, with brown brim, trimmed in red fabric flowers and a cream coloured feather.
PRODUCTION
Notes
This fashion doll and its accessories were possibly made by Pierre Francois Jumeau in France around 1870-1880. Pierre Francois Jumeau established his company 'Jumeau Dolls' in Paris in 1842. He originally made wood or kid doll bodies and doll clothes. In 1867 his son Emile joined the firm. The company expanded and in 1873 began to make bisque doll heads at its factory outside Paris in Montreuil-sous-Bois. Soon after, Emile introduce the 'bebes Jumeau', dolls with fine bisque heads, jointed composition bodies and innocent expressions, whose quality and appeal did much to establish Jumeau's reputation. During Emile's stewardship of the company, it was awarded five gold medals and a silver medal at international exhibitions, including a first degree of merit at the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879. Faced with increasing competition from German doll-makers, Jumeau amalgamated in 1899 with other French companies to form the Société Française de Fabrication de Bébés et Jouets (S.F.B.J). Both name and company survived with the Société until trading came to an end in 1958. For more information see: Goodfellow, C., "The Ultimate Doll Book" (New York, 1993) pp.58-59.
HISTORY
Notes
This doll is from the Ann Schofield collection and was exhibited as part of the 'Seen but not heard' exhibition. It is listed in the Leonard Joel auction catalogue of 1979.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Anne Schofield under the Tax Incentives for the Arts Scheme, 1984
Acquisition Date
3 October 1984
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