RARE AND BEAUTIFUL FRENCH BISQUE BEBE “X” MODEL BY JUMEAU - ORIGINAL FAMILY OWNED DOLL. 25”. Marks: 12X. Pencil signature on front of torso: (C.L. Sanquist). Bisque socket head, gorgeous blue paperweight eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, rose-blushed eye shadow, feathered and brushstroked brows, closed mouth, thin modeled white space between shaded and accented lips, separately-modeled and applied pierced ears, original blonde mohair wig over cork pate, composition and wooden eight-loose-ball-jointed body with straight wrists, stamped Jumeau Medaille d’Or Paris on back, wears factory original, beautifully designed silk and velvet dress, underclothing, blue leather ankle strap shoes with silk rosettes marked: E. Jumeau Med.or 1878 Paris Depose, turquoise bead earrings and necklace. Commentary: Emile Jumeau, circa 1878; sculpting attributed to Carrier-Belleuse; very rare model, lovely shy-faced bebe with entrancing large eyes, luminous bisque, original marked body and original body finish, original costuming and wig.

Provenance: Doll’s name is Isabella Arabella Clarabella Sweet. The doll was acquired in 2021 by the present owner. Previously in the family of Elizabeth Warner Sandquist (nee Smith). The doll was given to her Grandmother by her great-Aunt and Godmother Martha Brown Gilman (nee Ellison), called “Auntee” by the family. She originally lived in Richmond, VA and then in Brunswick, ME. The family thinks that Auntee received the doll from her father, who ordered it directly sent from Paris. The doll’s long name came about because Auntee could not decide what to call her, so combined the many suggestions she had received from the family! (A photo of Grandmother with doll taken in Maine at the family’s summer home called “Saganook” is included.) 1879-1886.