$14,500
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Description
24" (61 cm.) to top of mirror. Posed in front of her lavishly-fitted dressing table with richly-draped gilt-accented lace curtains and framed mirror is a bisque-head lady with blue glass enamel eyes, delicately-painted lashes and brows, closed mouth with accent lines, pierced ears, elongated blonde mohair wig, bisque shoulder plate, carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, bisque forearms and wearing an original very luxurious silk gown with embroidered flowers, undergarments, and silk shoes. The dressing table is laden with various toiletries and accessories and she holds a powder puff in one hand and a mirror in the other. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism functions well. Marks: (original two-tune label under table). Comments: Vichy, circa 1865. When wound and lever released, the lady lifts her head, turning side to side as though admiring herself, alternately powdering her nose and gazing into the hand mirror, while leaning forward which consequently emphasizes the embroidered detail of her gown; all the while music plays. Value Points: few examples of this extraordinary musical automaton exist; each known has been found with superb details such as these gilt-metal curtain accents, embroidered gown, and carved bone toiletry articles including fan, indicating its luxury creation.