Inspired Tuesday: Marie Antoinette Inspired Half-Doll

Inspired Tuesday: a day to share anything and everything inspired by Marie Antoinette and her world.

[image credit: marc_shona_lorrin/ebay]

This antique Marie Antoinette inspired half doll was made by A.W. Fr. Kister and  was likely produced sometime in the early to mid 1900s. Half dolls owe their name to the fact that they were sold as a "half" of a person, usually a woman; half dolls were designed to be attached to various objects that a fashionable lady might have in her boudoir, ranging from pin cushions to powder boxes or even makeup brushes. This particular half doll is an excellent example of a higher quality piece from a German company, hence the higher auction result compared to less detailed (and more messily painted!) half dolls that are sold on eBay.

Madame Alexander Heads to the 18th-Century (Part 2: Pompadour Edition)

In Part 1 of this Madame Alexander series, we looked at some of the varied 18th-century inspired dolls that the company has produced over the years. In Part 2, we'll be looking at a specific series that was inspired by none other than the famous Madame Pompadour, longtime mistress of Louis XV.

The original 'Pompadour' series was released from 2001 to 2003.These dolls are some of the most sought after of the 21st century Madame Alexander releases due to the high level of details and quality in the original gowns. It's not unheard of for the original "Winter" to fetch over $1,000 when it shows up at auction! A few years later, the company released "Shadow" versions, or re-releases, due to the immense popularity of the line. The "Shadow" versions go for slightly less secondhand and had higher edition sizes.

Madame Pompadour: "Spring"

Madame Pompadour: "Summer"

Madame Pompadour: "Fall"

Madame Pompadour: "Winter"

Museum Sunday: A court doll depicting Marie Antoinette

[image credit: Theriault's]

An 18th-century court doll depicting Marie Antoinette, circa the 1780s. This rare and unique piece is one of the few known French court dolls from this era to have survived. This elaborate doll was made from carved wood with silks and muslin fabric used for the gown. This was not a children's toy, but rather part of an overarching group of adult dolls that were produced in the court of Louis XVI. François Theimer, who completed an extensive study of court dolls during this time period, notes that there are 4 types of representative court dolls made during this period: dolls depicting the royal couple, dolls depicting court figures, dolls made during the Affair of the Necklace scandal, and dolls made during the end of the monarchy. 

This particular doll falls into the first category--a doll depicting the royal couple or in this case, Marie Antoinette herself.

In 2008, this doll was sold at auction. The estimate predicted an $8,000--11,000 selling price; the final realized price was $39,000!

Madame Alexander Heads to the 18th-Century (Part 1)

Barbie isn't the only doll that time travels! Madame Alexander dolls have been around since 1923, when Beatrice Alexander--the Madame Alexander herself!--began designing and selling dolls with a unique look and quality styles. Over the year, Madame Alexander dolls have ranged from literary characters, movie characters, ballerinas, fashion icons and just about everything in between. By 1980, the company was producing 1 million dollars a year--an astonishing feat, especially considering that the original owner ran the company until she sold it in 1988.

Among the many offerings that Madame Alexander has released over the years are a selection of historical dolls, including both actual historical figures and simply 18th century inspired dolls. Let's dive right in! And who knows, maybe you'll find a new doll (or two or three) to add to your wish-list!

Marie Antoinette (1946) 

 [image: Theriault's]

This beauty is a composition doll created by Madame Alexander for her 1946 Portrait series. She was inspired by Marie Antoinette and is one of the first among Madame Alexander dolls inspired by the queen. This lavishly detailed gown includes handmade silk flowers, bows, trim, and a hand-painted face. Like all of the older Madame Alexander dolls, she is hard to come by, and had a very limited production.

Louise Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun

Yes, even Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun has her own doll! This charming doll features an outfit inspired by a self-portrait of the artist, and includes details such as her flowered straw hat, a lace shawl, and delicate earrings. This doll was a LE250.

Marie Antoinette (1987)

 [image: EBTH]

This doll was released in 1987 and is the second of Madame Alexander's dolls based on Marie Antoinette, though it was the first to be mass produced. This particular doll features miniature faux pearls, a decorative hand fan, and a youthful dress with pink and blue details that give the doll a more youthful "dauphine-like" appearance. This doll was LE325.

"1774" MetKids Collection

 [image source: Ebay]

This interesting doll was part of a collection created for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, featuring dolls with fashions from various historical eras. "1774" features a fashion inspired by the 1770s, with an embroidered gown, ruffled details, and of course, a giant feather. This doll was LE150.

Duchess of Devonshire

This depiction of the famous Georgiana Cavendish is from The Historical Collection,  and features an English-style striped gown with floral details and an extravagantly large hat, as befitting the famous duchess. This doll was LE350.

Marie Antoinette (2005)

This vision in pink and red is the third of Madame Alexander's Marie Antoinette dolls, and features bows, ribbon embroidery, miniature jewelry and a very large (and very white!) hairdo. This doll was LE700, much higher than many other Madame Alexander releases.

Marie Antoinette (2009)

 

[image: Matilda's Dolls]   

This is the fourth and so far latest Marie Antoinette from Madame Alexander. It was released in 2009 and features a pink dress with beautiful floral trim and a youthful, Sofia Coppola-esque aesthetic. This doll was LE300.

Coming in Part 2: Madame Alexander Meets Madame Pompadour...

Madame Alexander Takes "Pompadour" Through the Seasons

The Alexander Doll Company, better known under the moniker Madame Alexander, is a doll company that has produced more than 6,500 distinct dolls (with millions sold) since 1923. History is a reoccurring theme with Madame Alexander dolls, and one of their most notable forays into history was their "Madame Pompadour" series.

The original 2001 - 2003 series dolls are some of the most sought after Madame Alexander releases due to their high level of details and the quality of the original dresses; the original "Winter" doll has been known to fetch over $1,000 when it does on occasion show up on auction sites. The company did produce "Shadow" versions, or re-releases with some minor changes, a few years later. The "Shadow" versions have higher LEs and are easier to purchase for slightly lower prices.

With that out of the way, let's take a seasonal trip with the Pompadour!

Madame Pompadour: "Spring"

Madame Pompadour: "Summer"

Madame Pompadour: "Fall"

Madame Pompadour: "Winter"

Barbie Travels to the 18th Century

 

image: detail of 'Barbie as Marie Antoinette'

credit: ioffer.com [defunct link] 

Perhaps no fictional woman has taken the fashion world by storm quite like Barbara Millicent Roberts--better known as Barbie. Since her introduction in 1959, Barbie has draped herself in every style you could possibly think of--and some styles no one has ever seen before! From snazzy 60s outfits (complete with gogo boots!) to glamorous, Vegas-style Bob Mackie fantasies to romantic Oscar de la Renta ballgowns... Barbie is no stranger to switching up her style at the drop of a miniature silk hat. You could say that her love of style makes her a fictional rival for the other Queen of Fashion--Marie Antoinette. Although Marie Antoinette (to my scholarly knowledge) never dressed up in go-go boots, she--like Barbie--also dressed to impress.

Barbie has had many careers, costumes and gimmicks over the years. She has even traveled back in time! One of Barbie's many stops is the 18th century, where she has donned the guise of an English aristocrat, a pastoral shepherdess--and even Queen Marie Antoinette herself. Let's stick a feather in Barbie's inch-high pouf and take a look at some of Barbie's forays into the Age of Enlightenment.

Madame du Barbie

 credit: ©Mattel

Madame du Barbie, designed by Bob Mackie, was a limited edition release which found its way into the gilded shelves of Barbie collectors on New Year's Day, 1997. "There are a lot of people at Versailles today," indeed! Madame du Barbie wears an ice-blue gown made from brocade, studded with beads and jewels and rococo-style embroidery. It reminds me of the large, stiffer 18th century costumes which were particularly popular in 1930s-40s Hollywood films. Elegant and sparkling! 

 

credit: shadowdoll on flickr

Her pouf is accented with an elegant beaded headdress as well as her large, striking collar covered in icy sequins. In true extravagant (though not historical) fashion, it reaches far above her heaven-ascending hair. A demure side glance completes her coquettish look. 

Madame du Barbie would certainly have made a splash at Versailles!

Fair Valentine Barbie

 

 credit: ©Mattel

Fair Valentine Barbie, a special edition released in 1998, is a lovely interpretation of a portrait by the famous Jacques-Louis David. The portrait, commissioned by its sitter, Mademoiselle Guimard, is a wonderful example of the romantic, pastoral fantasy paintings that were all the rage in 18th century France.

 

image: A portrait of Mademoiselle Guimard by Jacques-Louis David

 credit:  ©Christie's Auction House

Fair Valentine Barbie wears a pink and blue shepherdess-style dress with a delicate lace apron. Although the Barbie rendition of the painting is sadly missing a beribboned hat, her updo coiffure adorned with a pink flower completes her romantic garden gown. 

It is easy to imagine this doll sitting amongst bouquets of flowers or delicately milking a cow in a countryside dairy.

Duchess Emma

 

 credit: ©Mattel

Duchess Emma Barbie, released as a limited edition in 2003, was the third and final doll in the exclusive Portrait Collection series. Each doll in the series was inspired by various historical portraits, complete with packaging that resembled a stunning shadowbox frame. Duchess Emma Barbie is inspired by various 1770s-1780s portraits which featured softer lines, more pastel colors, and a more relaxed and natural look for the subjects.  

 

image: A portrait of Sophia Charlotte, Lady Sheffield by Thomas Gainsborough

The floor-length gown worn by Duchess Emma Barbie is made from a velvet jacket with green and blue trim over a powder blue stain skirt and bodice. A flowing white chiffon scarf, popularly used by artists such as Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, compliments her chiffon fichu and floral bodice accent. Her delicate coiffure, complete with ringlets, is topped with an elegant hat and fashionable feather.

Can you imagine this stunning portrait Barbie doll hanging on your wall?

 

credit: http://barbiecollectorpassion.blogspot.com

"Little Theater" Marie Antoinette

 

credit: my collection

In 1964, Mattel decided to treat Ken to some spotlight time with a proposed fashion line called Little Theatre, which was to feature matching costumes for Barbie and Ken. The above card depicts the Marie Antoinette and "Louis XIV" set. Both costumes featured delicate details, such as gold trim or fashionable ribbons, which made for a rather extravagant costume-fashion set! Unfortunately, the Little Theatre collection did not move past the prototype stage. Fortunately, an avid Ken fan was on hand to capture an image of the prototype costumes on display at the 2006 National Barbie Convention.

 

credit: The Man Behind the Doll

Marie Antoinette

 

 credit: ©Mattel

Extravagant, sumptuous--just two words that easily describe Mattel's crème de la crème of 18th century inspired Barbie dolls. I am speaking, of course, about the classic "Marie Antoinette" doll, released as part of the Women of Royalty series in 2003. The doll originally retailed for $249.00 but today it easily reaches prices of $600-$1000+ on the secondhand market. With the level of detail and the quality of this doll, it is not difficult to see why. 

 

image: A court portrait of Marie-Antoinette by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun

Marie Antoinette Barbie is inspired by a court portrait by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun.  Her sumptous, regal blue gown is adorned with delicate lace, golden trim and silk bows. These relatively simple adornments only enhance the beauty of the dress, which is complimented by a matching hat topped with white feathers. Her necklace is a shocking detail for many Marie Antoinette enthusiasts, who are quick to notice its provenance: it is a replica of the necklace from the infamous "Affair of the Necklace." I think it adds a certain touch of dangerous decadence to this Barbie's classic court elegance.

I cannot hope to do this doll justice with my descriptions... I'll end with some detailed shots (and oh, how I wish they were my own photographs!) of "the" Marie Antoinette Barbie.

 

credit: marsonico on Flickr

 

credit: marsonico on Flickr 

 

credit: marsonico on Flickr 

 

credit: marsonico on Flickr  

Which 18th century Barbie strikes your fancy the most?

Marie Antoinette as a Paper Doll

It may come as no surprise that Marie Antoinette, well known as the "Queen of Fashion," is a popular subject for paper dolls. The "paper doll" as we recognize it today primarily developed during the 19th century (although 18th century paper dolls, primarily made for shops and milliners to show off their wares, do exist) when paper doll sets featuring famous women such as Queen Victoria and popular ballerina dancers became the go-to choice for girls looking for some fashionable paper toys.

Marie Antoinette, as both a romantic and fashionable figure, has naturally been a popular choice for paper doll artists from the 19th century until today. I've gathered up some examples of the more interesting paper dolls based on and inspired by the famous queen of France. Let's take a look! 

In the late 19th century, paper dolls--like postcards--were also used as a form of advertising. This 1880s Marie Antoinette paper doll, produced by McLaughlin's Coffee Company, is being depicted with her hands bound, on her way to the guillotine. A rather morbid way to advertise coffee!

 

 image source: ebay

Not every 19th century apper doll of the queen was made as an dvertising ploy. This romantic paper doll was published by the Frederick A. Stokes Company as  part of the 'Famous Queens' series.

 

image: The Strong

The paper dolls which are considered to be the most sought-after by collecators are typically the gorgeous, detailed hand-painted dolls which were most popular in the mid-to-late 19th century. This Marie Antoinette doll set was hand-drawn and hand painted with fine detail in watercolors. The set, which was recently sold at auction, went for an amazing $2,100!

 image: Theriaults

The1938 release of MGM's Marie Antoinette, a grand costume drama on an epic scale, has also inspired a line of Marie Antoinette paper dolls. This modern paper doll set, designed by Brenda Sneathen Mattox, features full-color dresses inspired by Gilbert Adrian's sumptuous gowns.

image: Brenda Sneathen Mattox

 

image: Brenda Sneathen Mattox

 

image: Brenda Sneathen Mattox

 

image: Brenda Sneathen Mattox

Some modern paper doll artists decide to go with a more fanciful view of Marie Antoinette's 18th century garb. The following set designed by Barb Rausch, featuring Marie Antoinette with her "lover" (quote emphasis mine) Axel Fersen, features wonderfully detailed gowns that would like right at home in a colorful candy shop!

 

 image: Barb Rausch

 

 image: Barb Rausch 

One of the most popular--or certainly the most widely recognizable--paper dolls of Marie Antoinette come from artist Tom Tierney, whose paper doll book is filled with gorgeous gowns inspired by some of the queen's many memorable ensembles.

 

image: Tom Tierney

  

image: Tom Tierney

image: Tom Tierney

I'll end with a quirky--and, yes, morbid!--modern paper doll designed by artist Lisa Perrin.

 

image: Lisa Perrin