Two very rare nun dolls are to be offered in Colchester auctioneers Reeman Dansie’s Fine Art sale on the 8th and 9th of November.
26/10/2022
The dolls are to be sold by direction of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre. Nun dolls are believed to have been originally intended as instructional tools, for teaching novice nuns how to attire themselves, and also to maintain strict conformity to the Order’s specific costume over long periods of time.
It is thought that the two dolls in Reeman Dansie’s sale are one of just two instances in the U.K. where such dolls are still to be found in original context connected to their religious order. The earliest documented nun doll is the famous 17th Swarbrick doll, thought to date to 1680, which last appeared at auction in 2009 when it sold for £30,000.
The dolls in the November sale are believed to be possibly of 18th century origin, and may have been amongst the possessions carried in 800 coffers, which were said to have been transported to England, when the Canonesses became displaced from their original Monastery in Liege, prior to the French Revolution. They carry estimates of £3000-5000 and £5000-7000.
Featuring in our July Fine Art sale is a fascinating collection of 38 lots on paper, removed from a substantial 19th century album which has been in the possession of the same family since it was compiled.
17/06/2025
Lot 970 in our Fine Art sale on July the 1st and 2nd is this unassuming Edwardian watercolour interior scene, guided at £300-500.
16/06/2025
Coming up for sale in our forthcoming Royalty, Fine Art & Antiques sale is an exceptionally rare pair of Italian Vezzi porcelain chocolate beakers, circa 1720-1727.
09/06/2025