Pair, 19th Century Carved Wooden Monk and Nun with Mechanical Movements

Live Auction

8 1/2" (22 cm.) Each is a carved wooden figure with defined hair, face features, detailed costume, along with overlying paper mache cape and veil, depicting a nun and a monk. Each has nodding head and hinged jaw, and when lightly tapped on the head, its head nods back and forth and the mouth opens and closes, as though singing or chanting. The figures are attached to original chip-carved base. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, mid-1800s. Value Points: delightful rare nodding mechanical figures with double movements, well-carved details. Ex-Collection Alice Schott of Santa Barbara Museum of Art.