-40%
Antique 20" Kestner 172 Gibson Girl Doll. Accurate 1909 Clothes. REDUCED PRICE
$ 421.87
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Antique 20 Inch Kestner 172 "Gibson Girl" Doll. Circa 1909.RECENTLY REDUCED PRICE! WAS 9. NOW: 9.
Bisque shoulder head on leather jointed body. Lower arms are bisque. Made by J.D. Kestner Company, Germany, circa 1909. Represents the "new woman" of the early 1900s. (Gibson Girl as popularized by Charles Dana Gibson's illustrations.)
Condition:
Overall, quite good for her age. Everything appears to be stable. Leather is showing age related brittle spots and surface wear, but no open tears or split seams. Head is marked 172 over 7. No cracks or chips observed on the outside of the head. The quality of the bisque head and painting are the very finest. The painting was done with a master's touch. The eyebrows are not just one stroke, as so many of the 172s are. They are finely feathered with several strokes. The nostrils and inner ears have a tiny red dot. The cheek blush, elbows and back of hands have a soft rosy tint. The lips are very delicate with shaded areas and outlined in a darker accent. Overall, she is the most beautiful 172 I have ever seen. Upswept "Gibson Girl" antique mohair wig in excellent condition.
The two middle fingers of the right hand are chipped to the first joint (see last photo).
Repairs:
Eyes are set stationary in head. Eyelashes are present but may be replacements. Upper arms are covered in muslin. There is a small hole on the upper right thigh that has been secured with sealer to prevent further damage or leakage (see next to last photo). A couple of small tears at neck edge of leather have also been secured with sealer. A cardboard pate is glued onto the top of the head. I did not try to remove it.
The Costume
: I am a fashion historian who has worked with museum collections. I enjoy the challenge of making historic costumes including the correct underwear for dolls. I have recreated a historically accurate outfit for this doll based on research examples from the National Cloak & Suit Co. 1909 catalog. She represents the newly independent working girl of the time period.
This is a very accurate example of what a "Gibson Girl" really wore!
SHOES
: Handmade leather reproduction purchased on eBay. White cotton replacement stockings. Shoes and stocking not made by me.
COMBINATION BLOOMERS:
I
mported batiste trimmed with antique lace.
SLIP
: Gored with double ruffle. Vintage lace.
SKIRT
: Cotton check, gored, princess seams underlined in silk organza, fully lined with black taffeta. Labeled
"Charlotte Whatley, Made in the USA"
. Bias accent trim outlined in black gimpe and decorative buttons.
BLOUSE
: pouter pigeon front had tiny pin tucks,. Made of vintage novelty weave "window pane" cotton. Puff sleeves, very high stand up collar to show off the upward tilt of her head.
BELT
: Black taffeta with pointed front.
HAIR BOW:
enormous black grosgrain ribbon.
PURSE
: Velvet with beading. All seams are finished. Hook or snap closures. My workmanship is professional. The ensemble is completed with a tiny vintage gold bar pin with a turquoise dot in the center. A perfect compliment to the high collar!
An excellent example of the Kestner 172 doll and the historic fashion of the Gibson Girl of 1909.
Sorry. No international sales or shipping of this doll.