Name: Brown Complexioned Bébé
Made by and When: Denamur, late 1800s
Material: Bisque socket head, French composition jointed body
Marks: E. 5 D.
Height: 15 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Original black mohair wig; brown paperweight eyes, painted lashes, black feathered and brush-stroked brows; pierced ears; open mouth, upper teeth
Clothes: Maroon silk frock with lace trim, velvet bonnet, maroon stockings and tan leather shoes
Other: Made in France, this doll is a rare example of a brown-complexioned doll by Eitenne Denamur. According to the Doll Reference website, “Eitenne Denamur began making dolls in 1889 in France. By 1890 Denamur called his firm Le Maison du Bambin ‘The house of Bambin’ as he made Le Bambin and other bébés.
“Denamur is best known for his bisque head dolls with open or a closed mouth on composition jointed bodies. Denamur’s dolls won a gold medal award in 1890 at the London exhibition.
“Denamur was forced to file bankruptcy on January 26, 1898, Mr. [Adolphe-Henri] Bouchet purchased Denamur’s heads and body molds.”
Gallery (Images and description courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Frasher’s Doll Auction.)
Reference
“Eitenne Denamur Bébés 1889-1898 French.” Denamur, Etienne Bebes 1889-1898 French,
www.dollreference.com/denamur_etienne_dolls.html.
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