German Mechanical Seated Figure as Snake Charmer

Live Auction

16" (41 cm.) seated. Man with rich brown complexioned paper mache head which is loosely attached to a paper mache body is posed seated with crossed legs, and with hinged arms that are held outward with open palms. The man has brown flirty eyes, closed mouth, highly-characterized features, black fleecy hair, and is wearing original costume of exotic snake charmer including jewelry; at his side is a woven basket which contains a rubber snake. When wound, his head leans side to side, his eyes flirt, and his left arm moves up and down as though charming the snake which he holds. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Germany, early 1900s, from a series of store promotional mechanical figures, designed to be placed in store windows to attract attention of passers-by. Value Points: well-preserved mechanical figure.