Name: Miniature Brown-Complexioned Doll with Wardrobe
Made by and When: Gebruder Kuhlenz, c. late-1800s
Material: Brown bisque socket head, fully-jointed brown composition doll body
Marks: 34 / 18
Height: 9 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Original black mohair wig, brown sleep eyes, tapered brows, prominent plump cheeks, open mouth with four upper teeth
Clothes: Original cotton frock with lace collar, matching hat, lace socks, and brown shoes; includes pink outfit with matching hat, socks, and pink shoes plus a red dress with a straw bonnet and red socks, and a miniature contemporary brown all-bisque doll
Other: This rarely-found Gebruder Kuhnlez model includes a miniature brown-complexioned doll and the described wardrobe. “Founded by brothers Julius, Bruno, and Cuno Kuhnlenz in 1884, their porcelain factory was located in Kronach, Bavaria, Germany. Kuhnlenz made antique bisque black or white Dolly face socket or shoulder head dolls, unique character face dolls, and tiny-all bisque dolls to full-size large dolls.
“Kuhnlenz was possibly the most prolific German doll maker of bisque head black dolls. It is believed that Kuhnlenz also supplied bisque heads for the French market, as Kuhnlenz-marked heads have been found on Jumeau ink-stamped bodies and/or the heads… In 1935 the Kuhnlenz porcelain factory ceased” (Doll Reference).
Gallery (Images and description courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Frasher’s Doll Auction.)
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