"THERIAULT'S AUCTION WEEKEND" > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
"French Dolls In Folklore
Costumes"
Catalogued Doll Auction
Theriault's Auction Weekend
"French Dolls In Folklore Costume
1835-1917." was a specialty 
auction
held January 9, 2000 featuring over 100 French dolls, each wearing its original costume
from various regions of France, plus separate costumes, shoes, hats, headdresses, books,
postcards and games of the era, all featuring folklore costuming.
Dolls from this era dressed in original folklore costuming are rare today--Florence Theriault's, in the forward to the book/catalog for the auction, says that this is due to many children and collectors removing and destroying the original costumes so they could dress their fashion dolls and bébés in more sophisticated town clothing. This is a tragedy--its always a tragedy to lose original costuming for antique dolls, but it is doubly a tragedy because of the rich history of these costumes, as well as their beauty and intricate construction.
The earliest generally produced dolls in
French folklore costumes date from the 1830s-50s, and were made of papier mache. From the
earliest production of bisque dolls in France, their have been records documenting the
production of bisque dolls in folklore costuming. In the late 19th century, the
dolls were offered at regional doll shops in France, as well as by the Paris department
stores. The costumes were sold not only in France, but also aimed at an
international market. The market remained strong until about 1890 then began to
decline. It was at this time that Mlle. Marie Koenig launched exhibits of dolls in
regional costumes--they were shown throughout France and even at the Chicago International
Exposition 1n 1893. The collection of dolls received a gold medal at the 1900 Paris
International Exposition. These dolls, along with documentation, now reside at the Musee Nationale des Arts
et
Traditions Populaire.
The dolls sold at the auction (and displayed in the book) are wonderfully preserved examples. Prices for the dolls varied--some dolls sold over estimate, including a Jumeau poupee in the costume of Finistiere, Brittany, which sold for $5000 against an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. Brittany and Alsace were two of the more popular regions at the auction, and most of the dolls and costuming from these regions sold at or above estimate. The doll pictured here with the individual parts of her costume sold for $5,000 against an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000; the poupee is by Jumeau. Other dolls sold very reasonably, including many French poupees by unidentified makers or by Gaultier in all-original clothing--these dolls generally sold between $1,200 to $2,500. The auction was preceded by a very special lecture on the History Of French Regional Costumes which was given by Mlle Anne Tricaud, Conservateur de Patrimonie at the Musee Nationale des Arts et Traditions Populaire in Paris (current conservator of the Marie Koenig dolls).
Separate costumes also sold well, including several lots of doll costumes from the Finistiere, Brittany region (one sold for $1,200, or triple its pre-sale estimate of $300 to $400). Full-sized antique coiffes from the region (human sized) did not sell particularly well, and most sold for under estimate.
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 fashion dolls, and poupees, as well as collectors of ethnically costumed and folklore costumed dolls. Additionally, the book can be used by antique reproduction dollmakers who can use the book as a reference for painting the faces of poupees and bébés, as well as for costuming ideas. The book is available from Dollmasters.| Some Dolls/Items And Prices Realized | |
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 |
| Gaultier Poupee c. 1870, 16" in costume of Finistiere Brittany. All original, kid body, $4400 (estimate $3,000/$4,000) | Bisque doll for French market; Simon and Halbig 1159 and Jumeau body in costume of Haute-Pyrenees. All original; $3,100 (estimate $1,500/$2,000) |
 |
 |
| French postcard circa 1912 showing child in folklore costume holding doll in folklore costume. Sold (in set) for $200 (estimate $300/$350) | Gaultier poupee c.1890, 13" in costume of Poitou. All original in original labelled box. Muslin/kid body, blue enamel inset eyes. $2,000 (estimate $2,500/$3,000) |
Other Pages:
>Main Page > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>The Little Ones: All-Bisque Auction > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
>No Regrets: Cataloged Marquis Auction > 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
What do you think of French Folklore costumes? Are you a fan of fashion dolls and poupees? Don' forget to visit the Dolls Forum to discuss with other doll collectors!
And, don't miss:
Auctions Online, from your Collectibles Guide
Doll Auctions, from your Doll Collecting Guide
Back to the Doll Collecting Main Page
Catalog photos used with permission of
Theriaults © 2000.
Brief history of the dolls summarized from "French Dolls In Folklore
Costumes 1835 to 1917" by Florence Theriault" © 1999
Article by Denise Van Patten, Copyright 2000. Alll rights reserved.
