Antique Kestner 172 Gibson Girl Bisque Doll 20” Original Kid Body c.1910
A beautiful and distinctive antique German Kestner “Gibson Girl” doll, model 172, dating to approximately 1910.
This elegant character doll was inspired by the fashionable Gibson Girl ideal created by illustrator Charles Dana Gibson. She has the poised, self-assured expression associated with the model, including the slightly uptilted chin and nose that gives her such a refined and recognizable look.
She measures approximately 20 inches tall and features a fine bisque shoulder head with blue glass sleep eyes, painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils, and a closed mouth with softly painted lips. She retains a blonde mohair wig styled high in the fashionable manner of the period.
The doll has her original kid leather body with pin-jointed construction and bisque lower arms and hands. The body shows expected age-related wear and surface discoloration. There is an old patch/repair to the right kid foot, clearly shown in the photographs. The left foot retains its original individually stitched toe detail.
She is dressed in a wonderful antique ensemble in a rich mustard/golden fabric accented with deep burgundy velvet. The dramatic burgundy velvet collar is edged with tiny metallic beads, with additional velvet trim at the waist and sleeves. The combination is especially striking and gives her a very elegant turn-of-the-century appearance. Black shoes complete the presentation.
Condition: Beautiful antique condition overall. The bisque head appears free of obvious hairlines, chips or repairs that I can see. The bisque forearms and hands appear very good. Original kid body shows expected age-related wear and surface discoloration, with an old patch/repair to the right foot. The left foot retains its original stitched toe detail. Antique clothing shows expected age and wear, including some loose threads and minor textile wear. Sleep-eye mechanism is present. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
A very appealing example of Kestner’s sought-after Model 172 Gibson Girl, with her elegant adult features, blue glass sleep eyes, original kid body and particularly handsome antique costume.
Maker: J.D. Kestner, Germany
Model/Mold: 172
Date: Circa 1910
Material: Bisque shoulder head and lower arms/hands with original kid leather body
Eyes: Blue glass sleep eyes
Hair: Blonde mohair wig
Height: Approximately 20 inches
Clothing: Antique mustard/gold dress with burgundy velvet and beaded trim
Condition: Very good antique condition with expected age-related wear and an old patch/repair to the right kid foot, as described and photographed.
Please review all photographs carefully as they are part of the description.
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