BRU FASHION DOLLS
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Bru Fashion Dolls
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Leon Casimir Bru started manufacturing dolls in 1866 or 1867. He produced fashion dolls at a smaller volume than did other manufacturers. For that reason they are quite rare today and much desired in the collecting world. Richter states that Bru most likely obtained his heads from Gaultier. One particular fashion doll has a very enigmatic smile leading to them being referred to often as either the Mona Lisas or Smiling Brus.
The Bru company is credited with at least 30 patents during their time of operation, which ended in around 1888 or 1899. Bru was also awarded nine gold and two silver medals at international exhibitions.
Bru fashion doll bodies are varied, ranging from all leather with joint gussets, to all leather with no gussets. Heads were statrionary or had swivel necks. The dolls sometimes are marked Bru Jne. & Cie on the shoulder plates with Depose incised on the shoulder. Sometimes Depose is incised under the hair at the front top of the head. Sometimes there is a letter to denote size on the back of the head.
Richter, Lydia, and Joachim Franz. Richter. Collecting Antique Dolls: Fashion Dolls, Automata, Doll Curiosities, Exclusive Dolls. Cumberland, MD: Hobby House, 1991. Print.
Tarnowska, Maree. Fashion Dolls. Cumberland, MD: Hobby House, 1986. Print.
The Bru company is credited with at least 30 patents during their time of operation, which ended in around 1888 or 1899. Bru was also awarded nine gold and two silver medals at international exhibitions.
Bru fashion doll bodies are varied, ranging from all leather with joint gussets, to all leather with no gussets. Heads were statrionary or had swivel necks. The dolls sometimes are marked Bru Jne. & Cie on the shoulder plates with Depose incised on the shoulder. Sometimes Depose is incised under the hair at the front top of the head. Sometimes there is a letter to denote size on the back of the head.
Richter, Lydia, and Joachim Franz. Richter. Collecting Antique Dolls: Fashion Dolls, Automata, Doll Curiosities, Exclusive Dolls. Cumberland, MD: Hobby House, 1991. Print.
Tarnowska, Maree. Fashion Dolls. Cumberland, MD: Hobby House, 1986. Print.