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Schmitt et Fils Bebe Dolls 1854-1891 France
Maurice and Charles Schmitt formed
Schmitt et Fils (sons) in 1854 at Nogent sur-Marne, Seine and Paris,
France to manufacture toys and bébés (dolls) until 1891.
It's believed Schmitt began making bisque or papier mache head dolls ca.
1879-1891 when they were granted a patent for improved
coloring, tinting of porcelain shoulder heads for bébés and dolls.
In 1878 they won a silver medal at the Paris Exposition for their
dolls and bébés.
From 1879-1890 their specialty was a doll
called Bébé Schmitt supposedly an indestructible jointed Bébé
who they also exported. In 1883 they obtained a patent for a layer
of wax to be applied to the pressed bisque heads, which they believed enhanced
the appearance and durability of the dolls. Schmitt's French bébés dolls are of
superior quality, high value and highly desired
by collectors today, as in the past.
Schmitt et Fils antique doll bébé shown
on left; is 19 1/2" tall, pressed bisque socket head,
jointed wood and composition body with flat bottom, jointed at
shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, non-jointed
straight wrists, mohair wig, pale bisque coloring with lightly blushed
cheeks, oval paperweight eyes lined in black with a hint of eye shadow,
short painted lashes, feathered brows, closed painted lined mouth, pierced ears
lightly blushed.
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Schmitt et Fils Bébé 19 1/2" tall
Identifying Schmitt et Fils doll mark on head and body;
crossed
hammers on a shield, initials SCH.
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