Early 20th Century Italian Dolls in Local Costume
18 May 2022
Description

A set of 6 mostly cloth dolls. The dolls originated in Italy and were purchased after WWII in Italy. I have brought them with me wherever I’ve lived around the US and Europe. Now I’m in my 60s and it is time to find them a new home. Two of the dolls are damaged. One’s legs have come off and the other has lost her arms. However I have the detached limbs and they are included in the sale. Perhaps they can be repaired. The dolls range in size from 8” to 6” tall. Four of the dolls seem to originate in Italy. The one male of the group has a manufacturer’s label sewn onto his military uniform. One of the larger dolls is believed to be Snow White. The detail of the costumes, the intricate sewing and authentic fabrics used make these quality items. They are not pristine or mint. I inherited them as a child from a WWll veteran and they were well loved dolls. Now it is a time to pass them on to someone who genuinely appreciates them and can give them a good home.

Dimensions

6”-8” tall

Provenance

The dolls were purchased by a brave American WWll army veteran who purchased them immediately after the war, in Europe. They predate the war and perhaps even WWl. They have been evaluated as early 20th century by Mearto.

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within about 5 hours
By Delia
May 18, 23:27 UTC
Fair Market Value
$300 - $500 USD
Suggested Asking Price $600 USD
What does this mean?

Hi Nina,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The Napoleonic era (I've amended the spelling in the header) was in the early 19th Century (circa 1800-1810); these dolls were made at least 100 years later, not earlier than 1900-1920 and even possibly later.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

Six antique cloth and composition dolls
Continental, unattributed makers, early 20th Century
All with composition heads and cloth bodies.
Two side glance dolls (one a soldier, the other a lady) dressed in early 19th Century style clothing made in the 20th Century; soldier's olive green felt uniform labeled "Galafi Made in Italy," with tricorne hat with feather and pink raffia basket.
Larger doll resembles Snow White, with pinafore and black shoes.
Two blue-eyed brown-haired dolls with braids, woven hat with red puff-form ornaments and ethnic costumes
A brown-haired doll with lace mobcap and blue with a heart marked Abruzzo
Both side glance dolls 7 inches tall; other doll 8 inches long; other dolls between 6-8 inches
CONDITION: most in generally good condition with some wear commensurate to age and use; two with detached limbs
PROVENANCE: originally acquired in Europe
$300-500 for the group of three*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.

Nina long May 18, 23:31 UTC

Thank you Joe di I go about putting them on your website??

Nina long May 18, 23:32 UTC

Let me retype that:
How do I go about putting this group on your website, please?

Delia May 18, 23:34 UTC

If this is marked as "public" and "for sale," it is already on the website and you may get contacted directly by people interested in purchasing it.
If you can't tell what the status is, or if you can't change it, please let me know and I'll ask our IT person to make the change (I can't do it).

Nina long May 19, 01:27 UTC

Hi Delia, I can’t see whether this is marked as public. Please could you ask an IT person for help, and I’d like to see what it will look like before it goes up, and I haven’t set an asking price yet. Many thanks, Nina

Delia May 19, 11:37 UTC

You should see an asking price now - let me know if you don't.
I've asked our IT person to look into the status.

Delia May 20, 11:25 UTC

Hi Nina,
This item was already public.
My client service rep said to see it, you need to log out from your mearto account and look for your dolls from google search

Do you have a similar item and want to know how much it’s worth?

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