$20,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
37" (94 cm.) Arranged upon a velvet-covered wooden base is a gracefully-shaped piano harp at which seats an elegant portrait bisque-head lady, with brown glass paperweight inset eyes, thick dark eyeliner, painted lashes, rose-blushed eye shadow, brushstroked and feathered brows, accented eye corners, shaded nostrils, closed mouth with beautifully-shaped outlined lips, separately-modeled pierced ears, paper mache shoulderplate designed to allow "breathing", carton torso and legs in seated pose. paper mache hands, brunette human hair in elaborately-braided coiffure and wearing beautiful silk and lace costume. The piano-harp is painted pale yellow with decorative painted colorful flowers, and has surmounting harp and sheet music rack. When wound, four different tunes are sequentially heard, appearing to emanate from the movement of the lady's hands across the keyboard; then she turns her head, and appears to breathe deeply as her hinged chest plate moves up and down. Condition: generally excellent, some scuffing of finish on piano, mechanism and music function well. Comments: Vichy, the model appeared in the firm's catalog described as "Piano Watteau", catalog number 466, and was designated as a deposed model by the firm, circa 1888. Value Points: extremely rare luxury quality automaton with splendid bisque portrait face, compelling presence and movements including breathing.