DOLLS: A SIMON AND HALBIG BISQUE HEAD DOLL, EARLY 20TH CENTURY, with open eyes and blonde hair, with painted eye brows and red lips, with pink bisque arms and an articulated cloth body, dressed in a traditional costume, molded marks to the back of the head for S & H Germany 1079-320, 21 cm high, together with a matched bisque head doll of a boy, with faded marks, dressed in a traditional costume, with four other German bisque headed dolls, one with open blue eyes in a yellow knitted dress, moulded to the back of the head Made in Germany, 1996, with body and stiff articulated limbs, one with blond brown hair, fixed blue eyes, rose cheeks and an open mouth, with bisque limbs and a knitted dress, her hair stuck down over marks, a German bisque head doll, with opening weighted blue eyes, long brown hair, pale pink cheeks, an open mouth with fine white teeth with a composition and porcelain limbed body, moulded to the back of the head 21 Germany, r13 67, and a Simon and Halbig bisque head doll, with long pale brown hair, weighted opening blue glass eyes, a composition body and stiff articulated limbs, moulded to the back of the head R star R, seated in a later swing (6)

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.