$4,000
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sold
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Description
18" (46 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered wood base is a bisque-head adult lady with heart-shaped face and amber-tinted complexion, narrow brown glass inset eyes, dark eyeliner, long painted brown lashes and thick brows, accented nostrils, closed mouth with very full lips, pierced ears, black mohair wig in upswept fashion over cork pate, slender carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, amber-tinted bisque forearms, and wearing fine silk and brocade traditional costume. When wound, the lady elegantly turns her head side to side, then inclines her head as though offering tea; then lifts the tea cup and, alternately, extends the tray she is holding in her right hand. Music plays throughout. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well, some original tea dishes lacking. Marks: L. B. (key). Comments: Leopold Lambert, circa 1888, with unique bisque head commissioned from Jumeau and sculpted exclusively for this luxury automaton model. Value Points: rare automaton with superb facial sculpting and expression, very fine bisque and with very rare tune label ink inscribed with name of Chinese melody "Chinois Ee Wong 766".