Antique Vintage RARE Gre Poir'Lenci' Style17 Felt Doll C1927-1930
Gorgeous Antique Italian Felt Cloth Lenci Style 17 Doll. Made In Italy or France - Circa:1920s-30s. Felt Doll with Dress and Under slip. Doll makers both of Italy / France. This is a beautiful'Lenci' or'G re Poir' doll made in the late 20s to early 30s. It has the distinctive'Gre Poir' body construction which has the bulging area at lower front and back of the torso, with a horizontal seam above. A felt pressed mask face doll and felt covered body. This felt face doll is 17 inches tall. This doll is seldom seen and very rare due to the felt/fabric composition. Many will not have stood the test of time. The maker put tiny felt ears on this doll which is unmarked.
Although it looks a little like a Mabel Lucie Attwell doll from Chad Valley it does not have any sign of the label or construction signature of a Chad Valley therefore it is more likely a Lenci or a G re Poir Doll. This doll is in very good condition for age. Notice the right side glancing flirty brown painted eyes & pouty mouth - all completely original with no later re-touches or re-paints.
The sweet faced girl has. Fully jointed felt body - the neck turns , shoulders & hips are. This really is an exceptional doll. She has a firm body with felt covering. The doll, dress & underskirt with narrow lace trim edging are all original. However, the doll had no shoes, socks or accessories. So I have made her a new matching felt hat, bag &. Mary Jane style matching felt shoes with original 1930s green buttons. To match her original Lenci style felt dress. Her body is in really good condition although her face & one arm that have been more exposed have signs of wear & the left felt arm shows some loss of felt (showing the under fabric).This is an absolutely beautiful Lenci Style Doll with wool felt body that feature heat-pressed wool face with painted features. They typically have intricately made wool or organdy clothing, adorned with elaborate felt flowers, hats and/or accoutrements.
They are at the top end of the luxury goods market. Today they are considered highly prized collectables.
As you can see she is dressed in her original felt Pinnafore dress which is embellished with (Lenci style) felt flowers. Inside the felt dress is an attached stiffened cotton lawn petticoat with narrow lace trim edging.
If you need any more detailed pics, please let me know. NB The doll shown in last photo is of another Great Poir Doll - Note the similarities to my gorgeous girl!