$10,000
Sold
sold
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Description
28" (71 cm.) Ebony black-complexioned molded-leather head in slender angular shape,brown glass eyes,eyelids,open mouth with two rows of teeth,carton torso and legs,clockwork mechanism in torso,wire upper arms,paper-mache black hands,painted boots on weighted feet for standing solidly without base. When wound,music plays,he regally turns his head from side-to-side while strumming the wooden harp that he is holding; throughout,his eyelids open and close. Condition: generally excellent,few minor age rubs on face. Comments: Jean Roullet,Paris,circa 1870,the baseless construction indicates one of his earliest models and is very rare to find today. Value Points: commanding yet refined presence of the exotic harpist,with rare leather face,and having elegant movements enhanced by the luxury of the original costume.