An antique gusseted kid leather body made for a French fashion doll (poupée de mode), dating to the 19th century. This body-only piece features fine kid leather over a jointed armature, gusset-jointed at the hips and knees for realistic posing, and individually stitched, separated fingers on both hands, a hallmark of the better quality French fashion doll bodies of the period.

MEASUREMENTS
Length: 36 cm. Shoulder width: 11 cm. Sized to accommodate a bisque shoulder head of matching proportions.

CONDITION NOTE
The kid leather shows honest, age-consistent wear throughout, including soiling, surface staining, and some separation at the seams The leather remains supple and the body retains its shape and posability. All photographs form part of the description; please study each one carefully before purchasing.This listing is for the body only — no head, wig, or costume included. Metal stand shown is for display purposes only and not included.

CONDITION SUMMARY
✅ Fine kid leather, gusset-jointed at hips and knees
✅ Individually stitched, separated fingers on both hands
✅ Body retains shape and posability
⚠️ Honest age wear, soiling, and staining throughout
⚠️ Some seam separation at shoulder plate opening

An antique French bisque shoulder head for a poupée de mode ,a luxury fashion lady doll , attributed to Maison François Gaultier of Paris, incised with the size number 3 to the back of the shoulder plate alongside the 'F.G.' maker's mark. Dating to approximately the 1870s–1880s, this head represents the celebrated Parisienne fashion type for which François Gaultier became one of the era's most prolific bisque suppliers, producing heads for over 50 other doll houses.

François Gaultier began producing bisque doll heads and shoulder plates from around 1860, supplying both his own line of poupées de mode and heads used by other major Parisian doll firms, before the company's production shifted increasingly toward bébés by the century's end.

FACE & HEAD
Fine, pale, smooth bisque shoulder head with a beautifully painted face, fixed pale blue-grey glass eyes, delicately painted feathered brows, softly painted lashes, blushed cheeks, and a finely modelled closed mouth. Pierced ears retain a pair of black glass drop earrings. Original-style cork pate present beneath a blonde mohair wig dressed in long ringlet curls with a center part.

CONDITION NOTE
The bisque head is in excellent condition, with no chips, hairlines, or firing flaws noted, either externally or internally. Normal wig wear consistent with age. Two sew holes at the base of the shoulder plate for body attachment. All photographs form part of the description.

MEASUREMENTS
Shoulder plate width: 9 cm. Depth: 4 cm. Total height including head: 11 cm.

MARKS
'3' incised to back of shoulder plate (size mark). 'F.G.' incised to back of shoulder plate (maker's mark, attributed to François Gaultier).

CONDITION SUMMARY
✅ Bisque in excellent condition, no chips or hairlines
✅ Original mohair wig present, age-appropriate wear
✅ Cork pate intact
✅ Fixed blue-grey glass eyes clear and present
✅ Pierced ears with black glass drop earrings

Sold as an antique collectible in the condition described and photographed. Please note-wooden stand not included in the sale.