12” circa 1890s Neapolitan Creche Woman All-Original

Antiques : Dolls : Creche

 

Dressed in her exquisite peasant costume of Naples, this crèche-scene woman is in excellent condition, with a terra cotta head with painted features, terra cotta hands & lower legs, and flax-wrapped body. Her one-piece head and shoulderplate are molded and sensitively painted. The eyes are brown with a faraway expression; poufs of hair hang in front of her ears and peek out beneath her red cap with green band. The body is wired inside for posability. Expressive hands have long thin fingers and the painted feet are carved with low-heeled black shoes, large red buckles and rich blue stockings. The lady wears a richly layered costume with pale green silk sleeves, burgundy weskit over yellow stomacher and cotton blouse. Her knife-pleated turquoise floral brocade skirt has two bands of red around the hem, and mauve brocade apron over top. Both the skirt and apron are lined with Latin-text papers. A bum roll helps skirt-shaping from behind. There may be some restoration to her hands although they look very beautiful.  There is a rough-finished left lower leg is factory painted and her long skirt covers to the ankle, it is not repaired. The colors and exceptional quality inherent in this lovely figure make her very worthy!!

Item ID: 545