#193

French Musical Automaton "Seated Young Girl with Her Knitting" by Roullet et Decamps
Live Auction

$3,750
sold
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Description
16" (41 cm.) Arranged upon a velvet-covered base is a gilded wooden arm chair upon which is seated a bisque-head doll with brown glass paperweight inset eyes, richly-painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, blonde human hair wig over cork pate, carton torso and lower arms and legs, wire upper arms and legs, silk and lace costume and coiffe. When wound, music plays, her head moves up and down and her hands flit to and fro, realistically, as though knitting. Condition: presentation is excellent, mechanism and music function willfully. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 7 (and artist checkmarks on head). Comments: Roullet et Decamps, circa 1890, the automaton appeared in the original company catalog as #256 named "Bebe Tricoteur" (Child Knitting). Value Points: rare automaton with charming activity, pressed woolen kitten at her feet playing with knitted socks.