Outstanding French Bisque Musical Mechanical Lady with Portrait Face, Attributed to Roullet

Live Auction

15" (38 cm.) Bisque shoulderhead with perfectly oval face and elongated throat with defined throat, cobalt blue enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, arched brows, accented nostrils of aquiline-shaped nose, closed mouth with suggestion of smile, unpierced ears, original carton torso and legs, with hand-stitched original kid arms having fingers stitched to hold objects. The lady is standing upon a wooden platform with three cast brass wheels. When wound, music plays and the lady glides forward and in circles, while alternately lifting each arm to peer through her lorgnette or to fan herself. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: F. Depose G. (front shoulderplate). Comments; attributed to Roullet, circa 1867, with original commissioned portrait head from the porcelain firm of Gaultier. Value Points: the rare automaton, with original Roullet key and stop/start lever, has gorgeous portrait face, enhanced by original wig and lovely antique costume which includes original hoop frame for train (designed especially to cover the hidden mechanism).