$24,000
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Description
24" (61 cm.) A bisque-head lady with refined portrait modeling is posed standing upon a velvet-covered platform, brown glass paperweight eyes, rich dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, feathered brows, closed mouth, blonde mohair wig, separate bisque shoulder plate, carton torso and shapely legs, bisque forearms and hands, wearing ivory and patterned rose silk shepherdess gown and matching bonnet. Appearing to be held in her right hand is a woven lidded basket decorated with colorful flowers, in which is hidden a little lamb; the basket is actually attached to her torso by hidden metal rods. When wound, music plays and her head turns as though gazing at her flock of sheep and she lifts the bouquet of flowers she holds in her left hand. Meanwhile the lid of her basket lifts, as though the baby lamb is just awakening. The lamb's head peeks out, turns side-to-side, and his mouth opens and closes, the shepherdess turns and nods tenderly to the baby lamb, which bleats and tucks back into the basket. The lid closes. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau 9 (head). Comments: Jean Roullet, Paris, circa 1880, with commissioned bisque portrait head from Emile Jumeau. The automaton appeared in an early Roullet catalog named "Bergere Watteau" in homage to the French painter Jean-Antoine Watteau whose early 18th century romantic paintings had idealized the French countryside. Value Points: splendid presentation of the idealized romantic scene is accentuated by her exquisite bisque portrait face, and intricate movements, of which there are seven.