1700s Carved Wood 17.5" Religious Creche Figure Doll

1700s Carved Wood 17.5" Religious Creche Figure Doll

This is a wonderful circa late 1700s carved wood 17.5" tall religious creche figure doll. This doll appears to have had a refurbishment done sometime in the 1800s. The original parts of the figure are the head, arms and wooden torso. The 1800s additions are the wig, clothes and pedestal base. She may have had lower legs originally. The wood of the torso does not match the wood of the pedestal base, though the base is obviously also quite old. Also though her wig is a nice old hand stitched wig that has been with her a very long time, I can see evidence of an older wig underneath. Her clothing is also a later addition probably, and the fringe at the bottom was probably added even later in the 1900s.

The head and hands are very well carved. The head is pegged into the torso. The hands are attached to the torso by wire that is covered with tow linen fibers wrapped in cloth. Her left hand has a hole through it indicating something was once held in her hand. Since there are no markings that I have found I can't be 100% certain of her origins, but she could well be an Italian figure.

Condition: There is paint loss to head and hands - see photos. Though this figure has undergone a refurbishment, it was done very long ago - so long ago the alterations have become part of her history.

It was not uncommon for church figures to undergo periodic fix ups over the years, and also not uncommon for them to sometimes find themselves re-purposed into a more secular life. She was probably an angel in a previous life. There is a tag attached inside her skirt from a previous collector owner, that amusingly says (among other things) "Not pretty, but very interesting". Sounds like a promotion for a blind date. I actually think she is lovely.

Item ID: D12religious1212

Offers considered, except on Red Tag sale items and on items with final reductions.

$675 USD SALE

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