Set of Two Antique Traditional Spanish Rag Doll, circa 1920

Antique early 20th century pair of hand painted rag dolls of two women. Manufactured circa 1930 in Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, prese...

Antique early 20th century hand painted rag doll of two men. One dressed as a hotel worker and the other one as a clown. Manufactured circa 1920 in Spain. In original condition...

A fine quality pair of 20th century Oriental puppet dolls with original costumes. These decorative Oriental puppets are framed in Lucite making the...

Capistrano Gemma Taccogna, a Mexican artist of Italian descent, left a distinctive mark in folk art with her mastery of papier-mâché for the small one, and of ceramic for the big one, which she transformed into an illusion of porcelain. Her style is immediately recognizable: faces with clean features, large, stylized eyes outlined in black, and a playful approach to form. This vase, attributed to Taccogna, evoke Russian dolls known as Matryoshkas, due to the way the faces are painted, associated with the archetype of the mother of a large family, a symbol of motherhood and fertility. The vase entirely made of papier-mâché, share this common aesthetic, reinforced by generous, solid shapes. Their gazes seem to observe without truly concentrating, as if absorbed in a distant thought. This lack of focus gives them a presence that is both peaceful and enigmatic, suspended between wakefulness and dream. The relief necklaces, applied with a deliberately naïve touch, add a sculptural dimension to the whole. The matte, textured material contrasts with the porcelain-like visual effect. This vase belongs to the movement of the Mexican craft...