"THERIAULT'S AUCTION WEEKEND" > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
"The Little Ones"
French and German All-Bisques Auction
Theriault's Auction Weekend
"The Little Ones" was a well-attended
standing-room only specialty auction held by Theriault's
featuring French 
and German all-bisque
dolls made from approximately 1876 through the early 1920s. Many of the dolls in the
auction were chosen because of their rarity or rare features including swivel waists,
original costumes, rare sizes and rare shoe types. It was evident at the auction
that the market for all-bisques continues to be very
strong--favored models such as French Mignonettes and large German
all-bisques sold at or above pre-auction estimates. Two 9 1/4" German
all-bisque mignonettes (pictured at left) sold for $8,000 and $8,400 against their
pre-sale estimates of $3,000/$3,500 each. Another auction highlight was a Kestner
all-bisque (pictured below) with a very rare swivel waist, which sold for an amazing
$16,000 against an estimate of $3,500/$4,500. Two 9 1/4" German all-bisque
mignonettes sold for $8,000 and $8,400 against their pre-sale estimates of $3,000/$3,500
each. Dolls in original presentations also were popular; most sold considerably over
their pre-sale estimates.
The very hard to find, early, thin-bodied French
Mignonettes also sold at or above estimate; the one with jointed elbows from approximately
1877 which is pictured below sold for $3500 against an estimate of $3,000/$3500.
Of course, all dolls did not sell at or above estimate;
some sold below, such as the German al-bisque doll in
original white-knit costume and box (pictured
below) which sold for a reasonable $500 against an estimate of $600/$900. A sister doll in
a different colored dress sold for slightly less at $450.
One interesting trend was the Simon and Halbig marked all-bisques. All sold well, but the model 886 sold exceptionally well, often bringing well over estimate (one, a 7" doll from 1885 sold for $2,600 against an estimate of $900/1200. Other models were not as popular, including the 890 model, which is given the same "book value" as the 886, but which sold closer to estimates in most cases.
Besides dolls, antique accessories and furniture suitable for small all-bisques were included in the auction. One such item, a French miniature "Chamber a Coucher" shown being auctioned in the photograph, sold for $2,600 against an estimate of $2500/$3500. The room has completely original furnishings, still housed in its original box, c. 1875,
The catalog for this auction is in the form of a
hard-cover book, with color photographs of all dolls and other items auctioned. The
book would be useful for both collectors of the small-bisque dolls, as well as antique
reproduction dollmakers who can use the book as a reference for painting the faces, shoes
and socks of the reproductions, as well as for costuming ideas. The book is
available from Dollmasters.
Other Pages:
>Main Page > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>No Regrets: Cataloged Marquis Auction > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
> French Dolls In Folklore Costume > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>The Little Prince Tour > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>Photo Album > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>Tips For Attending an Auction > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Photo and Article by Denise Van Patten, © 1999. All rights reserved.
