$26,000
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Description
29" (74 cm.) lady, 39" including pole. Standing upon a velvet-covered base is a bisque head lady with exquisite portrait model face, blue glass paperweight inset eyes, closed mouth, artistic painting of brows, lashes and lips, separate bisque shoulderplate with modeled bosom, original blonde mohair wig over cork pate, carton torso and legs, metal upper arms, bisque forearms, wearing an elaborate circus performer costume of harlequin design in rich silk shades of blue, yellow and red with metallic soutache embroidery, and holding a fan in her right hand. A sturdy metal rod is attached to her torso and posed atop the rod, balanced on one foot, is a small bisque doll with glass paperweight eyes and closed mouth, costumed similarly to the lady. When wound, music plays, the lady turns from side to side, nodding and waving her fan as though to capture attention from the onlookers, meanwhile the little boy pivots on his balancing toe, and shakes the tambourine he holds in his uplifted hand. Condition: generally excellent, music and motion function well. Comments: Jean Roullet, France, circa 1885, with rare bisque portrait head created on commission by Jumeau. Value Points: exceptionally rare model with very beautiful face and finest bisque and complexion, original soft wig, and with original costume. Ex-collection Christian Bailly.