$8,500
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
30" (76 cm.) (including dome). A bisque lady has refined portrait face, cobalt blue enamel eyes, beautifully-painted features and closed mouth is seated at an upright carton piano with rosewood and gilt finish. Posed elegantly, she has a carton torso, wooden hands which are carved to appear as though posed to play the piano, and is wearing an aqua silk dress with lace edging, antique jewelry and original elaborately coiffed blonde mohair wig. A variety of sheet music is arranged on the piano with ink script titles, the floor has tapestry-like decorative papers, and the entire arrangement is presented under a carton open-front dome with decorative wall papers and mirrored back and sides which are edged with aqua silk curtains. Original paper label on the side lists two tunes (names illegible). The vignette rests upon original ebony black base under an oval glass dome. When wound, very beautiful music plays and the lady elegantly performs at the piano; she turns her head from side to side, and nods up and down. Condition: generally excellent, music and motion function well. Comments: Paris, Jean-Marie Phalibois, circa 1880. Value Points: the rarity of the luxury automaton is enhanced by exquisite beauty of the woman, fine original coiffure and costume, and strong vibrant music.