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Doll

1870-1890 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This doll is a lovely example of a larger poupee, a fashion doll produced by the famous French doll company, Jumeau. The doll does not have any kind of company mark on the head which was fairly usual of these poupees, but she is thought to be made by Jumeau.

Jumeau began manufacturing bisque dolls in the 1840s, firstly in Paris and then in Montreuil-sous-Bois just outside Paris and reached the height of their popularity around the 1880s. Their dolls are commonly thought to be some of the finest bisque dolls of the 19th century because of a high level of craftsmanship and a level of detail given to dressing the dolls in beautiful clothing and accessories. She has been dressed in a beautiful pale blue and beige silk corseted top and full length skirt with highly detailed turquoise drop earrings, a floral garland and a muff with its own box.

Towards the end of the 19th century Jumeau faced increased competition from a wealth of more affordable manufactured dolls, particularly in Germany, but Jumeau dolls, particularly early examples are still highly sought after by collectors.

The company later followed on from their popular adult fashion dolls by producing the hugely popular Jumeau Bebes from 1877. These dolls were made in the image of children but still continued to have fashionable costumes and accessories.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 10 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Doll
  • Skirts
  • Doll' Clothing
  • Top
  • Doll's Clothing
  • Slips (Underwear)
  • Doll's Clothing
  • Petticoats
  • Doll's Clothing
  • Drawers
  • Doll's Clothing
  • Necklace
  • Doll's Accessories
  • Muff
  • Doll's Accessories
  • Boxes (Containers)
  • Garland
  • Doll's Accessories
Materials and techniques
Stitched leather and cloth; moulded bisque
Brief description
Fashion doll (poupee) with kid body and bisque face, pierced ears and silk dress and assorted accessories, made by Jumeau (no mark) French ca. 1850 to 1879
Physical description
Bisque headed doll with kid leather stitched body. The doll has blonde coloured mohair, a floral garland and pierced ears with turquoise drop earrings and a turquoise pendant necklace. She has pale blue glass eyes, painted eyelashes and fine features.

The doll is has a full set of clothing including undergarments but is missing any stockings or shoes.. She also has a fur muff, contained in a checkered box.
Dimensions
  • Height: 57cm
Credit line
Given by Belinda Cadbury
Object history
Given to the Museum by Belinda Cadbury as a part of a bequest from the estate of costume designer, David Walker (1934-2008).

David designed costumes and then later set design for ballet and opera and theatre productions including Glyndebourne, English National Opera and the Royal Ballet. He also consulted on costume for films.
Summary
This doll is a lovely example of a larger poupee, a fashion doll produced by the famous French doll company, Jumeau. The doll does not have any kind of company mark on the head which was fairly usual of these poupees, but she is thought to be made by Jumeau.

Jumeau began manufacturing bisque dolls in the 1840s, firstly in Paris and then in Montreuil-sous-Bois just outside Paris and reached the height of their popularity around the 1880s. Their dolls are commonly thought to be some of the finest bisque dolls of the 19th century because of a high level of craftsmanship and a level of detail given to dressing the dolls in beautiful clothing and accessories. She has been dressed in a beautiful pale blue and beige silk corseted top and full length skirt with highly detailed turquoise drop earrings, a floral garland and a muff with its own box.

Towards the end of the 19th century Jumeau faced increased competition from a wealth of more affordable manufactured dolls, particularly in Germany, but Jumeau dolls, particularly early examples are still highly sought after by collectors.

The company later followed on from their popular adult fashion dolls by producing the hugely popular Jumeau Bebes from 1877. These dolls were made in the image of children but still continued to have fashionable costumes and accessories.
Collection
Accession number
B.160:1 to 10-2010

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Record createdAugust 3, 2010
Record URL
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