Vintage Italian Lenci type Messina VAT 10" doll w/ original teddy & Lenci hat

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Here is a sweet felt Messina-VAT doll from Torino that stands about 9 1/2 to 10 inches tall. She definitely falls into the Lenci-type doll category since she was made between the 1920s and 1930s in Italy. I've taken photos of her construction so you can see how closely she is made like a Lenci doll with zig zag at the neck and the shoulders. She has both jointed arms and legs. Even her torso is constructed the same as a Lenci. She has the side glancing eyes, the two-toned lips and the blonde mohair wig. The doll is free of holes and fairly clean. There is some dust on her legs that could be cleaned. She is still wearing her original Messina-VAT teddy and it is in excellent condition. I've put a red Lenci felt hat on her to inspire someone to make her a new little outfit. The hat has several moth holes as seen in the photos, but is clean. It could be used as a pattern. I think she is wonderful. Some history on the company - Messina was once Lenci's USA representative. As stated in Nancy Lazenby's book Lenci: The History of the Dolls, the dolls were originally tagged with a white cotton strip tag sewn to the underwear reading "VAT Made in Italy" as seen on this doll. To quote Ms. Lazenby "these Lenci-types have value in their own right. If a felt doll from the 1920 or 1930s appeals to the collector then it's worth buying....some of read more

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