DOLLS: A SIMON AND HALBIG BISQUE HEAD DOLL, EARLY 20^TH CENTURY, with weighted opening pale blue eyes and brown hair, with painted eye brows and pale pink cheeks, her open mouth with fine white teeth, with composition body and articulated limbs, wearing a lace dress and later clothes, moulded marks to back of head for SH 1909, 1 ½ Germany, together with two other German bisque headed dolls, one with weighted brown glass opening eyes and pale brown hair, with painted brows and an open mouth with fine white teeth, with composition body and articulated limbs, moulded with marks to the back of the head, obscured with glued hair, and another doll, with bisque head, weighted opening brown eyes and pale painted eye brows, with pale pink cheeks, the open mouth with fine white teeth, with composition body and articulated limbs, both mostly wearing later clothes (damages) (3)

PROVENANCE: PROPERTY OF A LOCAL CHISWICK RESIDENT, PEGGY COOPER (1931 - 2021).

Yorkshire born Peggy attained her Diploma in Design at the City of Leeds College of Art in 1952 before taking up a position as an art and needlework teacher at a school in Uttoxeter, Derbyshire. During this time Peggy's interest in developing the use of crafts for education began, with a particular focus on experimenting with repurposed and requisitioned materials for model making and other artistic projects. She was known for her kind and gentle nature with children, cleverly incorporating her artistic talents to help them understand educational topics.

She went on to marry Alan Cooper, lead member of the famous Jazz band Temperance Seven, whereupon they moved to London in the early 1960’s. Whilst in London, Peggy developed an interest in antiques and opened a stall in Portabello Road, primarily dealing in dolls and toys. She continued her art and creative interests from her home in Chiswick, which became known locally as 'The Museum' for its authentic Victorian interior and meticulously detailed displays and ornamentation.