Gesso is a white paint mixture used to coat rigid surfaces as a permanent absorbent primer substrate for painting. It consists of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. It was often used on wooden dolls. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples and price guides of antique gesso dolls including a Japanese male doll and a Midwestern folk art doll.
JAPANESE IKI NINGYO (LIVING DOLL) OF A MAN WITH A BELL MEIJI PERIOD
carved wood painted with gesso and pigment, inset glass eyes, real hair, with a bell and beater in his hands
Sold for £240 at Lyon & Turnbull in 2022
19TH C. WOOD AND FABRIC DOLL.
Early doll with carved wooden head with gesso and painted features and wood feet and hands, with a stuffed fabric body. Includes pinstripe dress and undergarments. 12.5”H.
Sold for US$375 at William Smith Auctions in 2022
Wood Jointed early 19th c Doll
9th c doll, Composition molded jointed head on composition shoulders. Jointed wood body with painted gesso. Blue eyes, blonde hair. Original dress, bonnet, loses to face and body.
Sold for US$250 at Merrill’s Auctioneers and Appraisers in 2022
19th Century French fashion doll with closed mouth. Fixed glass eyes with pierced ears, jointed wood arms and legs with gesso hands. Composite torso. Curly blonde wig with bow. 19th Century wig and satin dress with leather shoes. Clothing toned with stains. No markings found on head. Approximate length 21 inches
Sold for US$1,100 at Tremont Auctions in 2022
MIDWESTERN FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED WOODEN JOINTED LADY DOLL, the blue-eyed figure with solid head featuring painted features over gesso, applied human hair wig, solid body and solid jointed legs which swivel at the hips, with applied stuffed cloth arms. Fitted in period attire, including undergarments and leather shoes (one lacking). Possibly Indiana. Circa 1860-1885. 23″ HOA.
Sold for US$750 at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in 2022
