HE LOOKS AS IF SOMEONE HAS JUST CALLED HIS NAME - ANTIQUE UNIS FRANCE 251 CHARACTER BOY ON BEBE JUMEAU DIPLOME D'HONNEUR BODY, 71 CM
His lips are parted, two tiny teeth peeping through, and his wide blue eyes are lifted towards you with the bright, curious expression of a toddler who has just heard a voice in the next room. His cheeks are round and flushed pink, his chin is soft with baby fat, and his brown hair falls in a boyish bob. Lay him down and his glass eyes slowly drift closed. Lift him up and he's awake again.
This is the magic of the French character doll, and he has it in abundance.
A FACE MODELLED ON A REAL CHILD
Around 1910, the SFBJ (Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes et Jouets), the great alliance of French dollmakers that included the legendary house of Jumeau, did something daring. Instead of the idealised faces of earlier bebes, they launched a series of "character" moulds sculpted from real children, with all their pouts, giggles and fleeting expressions. Mould 251, with its parted lips and tiny teeth, is one of the most appealing of the series, a sibling to the famous pouting 252. His head is marked UNIS FRANCE 71 251 149, the mark SFBJ used from the 1920s.
THE JUMEAU CONNECTION
Turn him around and you'll find the oval paper label every French doll collector hopes to see: Bebe Jumeau "Diplome d'Honneur", still in place on his lower back.
A GRAND PRESENCE
At 71 cm (28 inches), he is far larger than most character dolls you'll find. Large-size character dolls are scarcer than smaller ones, and at this scale every detail of the sculpting comes alive: the fullness of his cheeks, the creases at his wrists, the depth of his gaze.
WHY COLLECTORS WILL LOVE HIM
- A genuine SFBJ character mould, far scarcer than the standard 301 bebe
- An open mouth with teeth, giving him a lively, "speaking" expression
- The prized Bebe Jumeau "Diplome d'Honneur" body label
- An impressive 71 cm size that commands attention in any display
- Soft, rosy colouring to the cheeks and lips, with a sweet, lifelike expression
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
- Antique French character boy doll, circa 1920s
- Bisque head from SFBJ character mould 251
- Open mouth with two upper teeth
- Blue glass sleep eyes, feathered brows, painted lower lashes
- Brown human hair wig in a boyish bob
- Jointed French composition and wood body
- Dressed in a white romper with ruffled bib, smocked trim and black velvet bow, white socks, cream Mary Jane shoes embroidered with blue ship's wheels
MARKS
Head: UNIS FRANCE 71 251 149
Body: Bebe Jumeau "Diplome d'Honneur" oval paper label on lower back
Wig label: "100% Cheveux Naturels - Made in France"
CONDITION CHECKLIST
We describe all our pieces transparently. Please view all photos as part of the description.
HEAD
- Hairline: a long, fine hairline runs from the top of the forehead (under the wig line) down past the inner end of the left eyebrow and the inner corner of the left eye, then beside the nose to near the left corner of the upper lip. Not obvious at normal viewing distance, but clearly visible on close inspection - please see close-up photos
- Bisque otherwise in lovely condition, good colour to cheeks and lips
- A few tiny dark firing specks in the bisque
- Sleep eyes open and close
BODY
- Original finish with age-consistent wear: scattered pinholes, surface scratches, scuffs and darker marks
- Fine cracking and small paint flakes at the hip edge and around the neck socket
- Paint loss to the fingers of both hands
- Small hole at one wrist
- Light staining near the Jumeau label; label intact
- All joints secure
WIG AND CLOTHING
- Wig in good condition, some flyaway strands
- Romper, socks and shoes in good condition
MEASUREMENTS
Height: 71 cm (28 in)
ITEM SPECIFICS
Type: Doll
Brand: UNIS France / SFBJ
Mould Number: 251
Gender: Boy
Country of Origin: France
Era: 1920s
Material: Bisque, Composition, Wood
Eyes: Blue glass sleep eyes
Mouth: Open with teeth
Hair: Human hair wig, brown
Body: Jointed composition and wood, Bebe Jumeau Diplome d'Honneur label
Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
SHIPPING AND POLICIES
- Worldwide shipping within 3-5 working days of payment, with tracking and insurance via DHL Express. Fragile pieces are carefully double-boxed.
- Please provide a valid phone number and email address at checkout for delivery and customs paperwork.
- Buyers are responsible for any customs duties and import taxes in their country.
- Please message us for extra photos or with any questions before purchasing.