$8,500
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sold
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Description
18" (46 cm.) h. 25"l. A bisque-head lady with blue glass inset eyes, painted lashes ad brows, closed mouth with accented lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, shapely carton torso and legs, defined bosom and waist. wire upper arms, metal hands, is standing upon a three-wheeled tinplate base, containing mechanical works, which is hidden by the floor-length elaborate ball gown which she is wearing. The ball gown has an extended train which is held by a black-complexioned page who walks behind. The mechanical works are attached to the page by a metal rod. When wound, the lady glides forward, the page marching briskly behind her, and she turns her head imperiously from side to side and alternately fans herself and lifts her left arm to peer through the lorgnette which she is holding. Condition: dolls and mechanism are excellent, costumes are original albeit her gown is very frail, lorgnette partial. Comments: Gustav Vichy, circa 1875. Value Points: very rare luxurious automaton, the two dolls with very fine bisque heads, complexion and features and superbly appointed original costumes having rich floral embroidery or gold braid trim, and with striking regal movements.