18″ (46 cm.) Light-brown wool felt is elaborately constructed with various darts and seams,having plump felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features,brown side-glancing eyes with white eyedots,curly lashes,button-shaped nose with accent dots,very full red felt stitched-on lips,black mohair wig with spit curl on forehead,stitched-on ears with spiral bangle earrings,uniquely-constructed body in provocative pose,sculpted bosom,left arm with bent elbow,knees slightly bent. Condition: near mint condition. Comments: Lenci,circa 1925,the doll was shown as model #554 in their 1925 catalog,named simply “Josephine”,and is one of the very few Lenci dolls to actually bear a celebrity name. The doll represents Josephine Baker,the American-born Parisian dancer,in her most famous costume,”Danse Banane” from her 1925 performance at the Parisian Folies Bergere. Value Points: pristine condition of the extremely rare Lenci model,with original felt banana and leaf skirt of yellow and green felt,with spiral bangle necklace,earrings,and arm and leg bracelets.

Source: https://www.theriaults.com/extremely-rare-italian-felt-character-dolljosephine-baker-lenci

© Forget About It Film & TV, for BBC Wales. 2006. Narrated by Josette Simon. Directed by Suzanne Phillips.