Doe and Hope

Description

The good quality shop display mannequin having a well-turned adjustable bobbin stand to a wasp waisted form of Parisian origin, having hand written numbering ‘35670’ and ‘Paris’ to its underside, with the original black linen covering, to a turned knop finial, the base with tri-form feet with brass makers plaque for ‘Wells & Son Window Fitting Manufacturer 63 Wood Street City London E.C’ the whole surviving from the late nineteenth century.

The mannequin is has a wonderful decorative look, and is in mainly good condition with the timber of a good rich colour and only a few small tears to the linen. The knop finial to the top is loose but could easily be repaired. At the adjustable section there is a crack where it has been tightened too much. Elsewhere she is complete and in pleasingly un-meddled with order.

This dressmakers’ mannequin displays the ‘impossible’ wasp waist and high bosom of the ‘perfect’ woman of the Victorian era, and a bustle back. The actual form is French and would have been imported to London where Wells & Son would have mounted it to this stand.

A very good example of its type.