$29,000
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sold
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Description
26" (66 cm.) Standing upon a velvet covered flat base is a bisque-head lady with large brown glass paperweight eyes, dark lushly-painted lashes, brushstroked brows, mauve-blushed eyeshadow, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with accented lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, bisque half-shoulderplate on padded muslin upper torso, metal lower torso containing mechanism, paper mache lower legs, wire upper arms, bisque forearms and hands. When wound, music plays and a series of six complicated movements occur in realistic and synchronic rhythm. She turns her head, and then turns her entire body independently, meanwhile fanning herself and then lifting the gilt lorgnette and tilting her head backward to gaze at passers-by. Periodically, she leans forward at the waist. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: 9 (head). Comments: Gustav Vichy, circa 1885. Value Points: wonderfully preserved rare, all-original, grand size automaton with elegant movements, superb original costume of burgundy satin, lace and brocade silk, with floral clusters in hair, fan held in right hand, and gilt lorgnette.