George II Dolls. Dolls made during the reign of George II were predominantly made of wood, often with gesso faces. Some were jointed and dressed elaborately.
Below are some examples and price guides of some George II dolls including an English doll with painted gesso face and a rare baby doll.
OUTSTANDING GEORGE II ENGLISH WOODEN DOLL IN EXQUISITE GOWN. 25″. One-piece carved wooden head and torso, oval-shaped rounded head with slender face and throat, dark enamel inset eyes, eyeliner with accented eyelash dots, tapered and arched brows, fine-shaped nose and defined chin, closed mouth, rose-blushed cheeks, original brown human hair wig, shaped front torso with defined bosom and narrow waist, wooden arms with tied-joints at shoulders and elbows, carved fingers and thumb, dowel-jointing at hips and knees, fitted blue silk court gown, thickly padded and quilted petticoat, matching blue silk slippers, lace cap. Commentary: English circa 1735, (per old handwritten note attached to her petticoat); exceedingly rare doll with original finish, beautifully costumed, well-preserved with regal presence.
Sold for US$22,000 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2020
A LARGE GEORGE II WOODEN DOLL, ENGLISH CIRCA 1735
The painted gesso face with finely carved features, defined cheeks, chin and nose, with inserted black enamel eyes, painted lashes, eyebrows and mouth, carved ears and long brown wig, her elongated neck and well formed torso tapering at the waist, with bosom, rounded hips and finely carved, shaped arms and legs, jointed at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, (some repair to face, lashes and brows, loss of gesso to nose, eye area, mouth and cheeks, wig not original, lacks six fingers and tip of left foot), 74cm (29in) tall.
Sold for £ 3,125 (US$ 3,615) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2014
A VERY RARE GEORGE II TURNED WOOD BABY DOLL
MID-18TH CENTURY
In original robes of the period, in inlaid wooden box with sliding lid and label on underside
5½ in. (14 cm.) high
Sold for GBP 5,250 at Christie’s in 2009
