| The Lenci Company was founded in 1919 in Turin, | | | | hollow body and limbs, with several paint layers on |
| Italy by Enrico and Elana Konig Scavini. It is | | | | a very light fabric structure (this makes the doll |
| reported that the company continued making dolls | | | | unique). The washable dolls mark a passage |
| into the 21st century, however, there is conflicting | | | | between the first and the second period in the |
| information about the year company was | | | | Lenci Company's history. |
| founded and exactly how long they continued | | | | More of Madame Scavini's collection of characters |
| making dolls. | | | | that mark milestones of her artistic career |
| The dolls made at Lenci during the 1920s and | | | | includes: |
| 1930s are particularly desired by collectors | | | | - The 1923 Pierrot doll by Dudovich that sold in a |
| because of their superb craftsmanship, and also | | | | box designed by Gigi Chessa |
| because they are so irresistibly adorable. | | | | - The Veneziana doll |
| The most notable among the Lenci's 83 years of | | | | - A lady doll that appeared in the 1924 Novelties |
| history was the period between the two World | | | | catalogue |
| Wars. These are said to be the most valuable and | | | | - The 1925 Fukuruco |
| best well made of their creations. | | | | - The chinese god of fertility, longevity and |
| The early highly sought after Lenci dolls have the | | | | wisdom |
| pressed felt and oil-painted faces. They also had | | | | - The 1926 Mimy doll by Dudovich better known |
| double felt ears that were sewn on individually. | | | | as Dietrich |
| Their heads swiveled on their bodies. They had | | | | Lenci also crafted dolls from wood with |
| jointed shoulders and hips and some dolls had | | | | composition heads and made some porcelain dolls |
| rooted hair on mohair wigs. They often had side | | | | and figures. Porcelain figures of Disney characters |
| glancing eyes and were dressed in elaborate | | | | like Bambi, Dumbo, Mickey Mouse and Donald |
| costumes made from either felt or organdy. | | | | Duck were made by the Lenci Company in the |
| Some of these early Lenci dolls can be found | | | | 1950s. You will find these figures marked just |
| today carrying things such as a carved wooden | | | | "Lenci" and not a Disney copyright. |
| animal or a broom. The later Lenci dolls are | | | | Even though the ceramics and other items Lenci |
| reported as being somewhat less well made and | | | | produced were a huge success, some of the |
| many have fabric covered cardboard torsos with | | | | artists began to leave the Lenci Company to |
| felt faces that are hard and have been compared | | | | establish their own workshops. At this time, the |
| to cloth covered cardboard. The later dolls might | | | | Lenci Company had more than 600 workers |
| be found dressed in clothing made from cotton, | | | | (during the 1930s) and was deep in debt. A |
| rayon, and taffeta. They are also usually less well | | | | partnership became necessary. The new partners |
| accessorized than the earlier better made dolls. | | | | became sole owners after 1937. Madame Lenci |
| The Lenci dolls apparently were also imitated | | | | worked as the artistic director until December of |
| everywhere since the year of 1927, from Turin | | | | 1940 when she left the company she did not own |
| to Florence, and then in Germany, France, and | | | | any more; this was now a company that |
| England. The imitation dolls were also said to be | | | | marketed her dolls in reduced format using a new |
| cheaper and this competition caused serious | | | | name, "Ars Lenci." |
| problems for the Lenci Company. | | | | The dolls that can be traced back to the 1920s |
| A series of Oriental dolls were produced from | | | | and 1930s are worth much more money. The |
| 1925 to 1927, the first appeared in 1923 as the | | | | 149 Lenci face is also valuable. If the Lenci doll is |
| "Fumatore d'oppio" doll. | | | | 13 inches tall, its estimated value is around $750 |
| Some of their dolls include: | | | | to $1,000. The 17 inch doll would double in price, |
| - The 1929 Kigan doll, the laughing samurai | | | | and if the height is more than 19 inches, the value |
| - A 1929 tennis player doll wearing a blouse with | | | | is approximately between $1,700 and $2,500. |
| an embroidered monogram, LS (Lenci Scavini) | | | | The value of the dolls is also based on the |
| - A 1930 cowboy wearing a felt and leather | | | | amount of soiling being at top dollar with very light |
| costume and a cartridge belt but no weapons | | | | and not serious soiling. A dirty Lenci doll, or a doll |
| - The 1931 little gentleman who carries a walking | | | | with badly rubbed color on their faces are said to |
| stick but has no silk hat | | | | be significantly worth much, much less. |
| - Madame Lenci's last creation, the 1939 Gioia doll, | | | | Source: Una bambola e altre creazioni by Elena |
| a washable baby made of felt and light fabric | | | | Scavini (book from Italy) and general knowledge |
| covered with cellulose and made with japanned | | | | of the Lenci dolls and company. |