Lot 188
188
SOPHIE

Details
SOPHIE

A French fashionable doll with trunk and trouseau:

The bisque swivel-head with closed mouth, fixed pale blue eyes outlined in darker blue, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig, jointed metal body with stockinette covering and bisque hands and feet - 15½in. high, impressed 2, by Gaultier with body by Gesland

The Clothes:

A black velvet and cream brocaded silk Princess line afternoon dress with long train and lace and artificial flower decorations;
A crimson silk satin evening dress with trained skirt, net overlay, lace and artificial daisy decorations;
Matching black velvet shoulder Court train lined and edged in crimson silk satin with black ostrich feather border;
An ivory silk satin wedding dress with train and garland of orange blossom, bows and silk tulle draped across the skirt, the wedding bodice with buttons down the front and tulle edging, the evening bodice with piping, tulle and blonde decoration and matching bertha;
A pink silk satin evening dress with train and pleated hem ruffle, decorated with artificial flowers, lace and tulle;
A home-made yellow silk evening dress draped with yellow silk chiffon and sealing wax and metal braid flower sprigs;
Two pairs of kid gloves;
Two silk sashes in pink and ivory;
A pair of socks;
A pair of pink kid slippers;
A brown boot;
Two petticoats;
Stays
Pantalettes

The Jewellery:

A set of simulated pearl bride's ornaments including a diadem;
Simulated pearl, gilt metal and artificial forget-me-not hairpiece, matching ear rings and necklace;
A blue bead pendant necklace and matching earrings;
A band of simulated pearls mounted on a pink riband;
A gilt metal and enamel pendant scent bottle;
Two pendant enamel watches;
A gilt metal guitar on a shoulder strap;,
A set of gilt metal and enamel hair ornaments on original card
A set of glass bead and gilt metal jewellery with leaf earrings;
And other items;

The Accesories:

An all-bisque doll's doll in original crochet clothes;
A miniature red leather domed trunk fitted with a comb and a shoe-horn;
A brown kid Gladstone bag;
A pair of bone binoculars containing Stanhopes of Lowestoft;
Brushes and combs;
A pink silk fan with gilt printed decoration, maribou edge, pierced bone sticks and silk tassel;
Another of white cotton painted with flower sprays and edged with lace;
( a lot )
The doll and all the clothes, jewellery and accesories date from the late 1870s

(See Front Cover and Colour Plate 10)
Provenance
This doll was a present from Her Majesty Queen Victoria to her god-daughter Princess Sophia, daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh and thence to Princess Sophia's god-daughter, the present owner. Princess Sophia was born in 1875 and an all-female household was set up for her by her brother Prince Frederick. The steward at Whites recommended his daughter for the position of lady's maid and she lived thereafter with the Princess both in India and latterly at Hampton Court. It was her daughter who became the Princess's god-daughter.
Literature
BBC Homes and Antiques August 1993
Further details
END OF SALE

The next sale of Dolls, Doll's Houses and Soft Toys will be held on 21 October 1993, entries for this sale close 5 September 1993

The first sale entirely devoted to Teddy Bears and related items
will be held on 6 December 1993, entries for this sale close
1 October 1993

Lot Essay

The Court train is of a style suitable for a second or subsequent presentation, possibly after marriage.

It is known that Worth did make some outfits for fashion dolls and it is possible that these are examples

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