Rare Early 18th Century Carved Wooden Doll, Walking Mechanism, Provenance

Live Auction

19" (48 cm.) Wooden head doll with oil-painted over gesso complexion and features, enamel inset eyes and distinctive character expression, on kid-skin covered shaped torso, wearing (frail) original costume of pale blue green silk over homespun linen with metallic trims. The torso rests upon metal rods that attach to the heavy clockwork motor; the motor is constructed of hand-wrought iron work including wheel rims, governor bracket, governor flywheel, escape gear and pinions. When wound, the doll turns her head from side to side, moving her arms, and gliding in a series of circles and forward; the steering wheel can be positioned to follow a wide or close circle, or to make a straight run. Condition: original painted finish and costume albeit very worn, mechanism intact and functioning. Comments: European, possibly Augsburg, early 1700s. Value Points: very rare early mechanical doll, with extensive provenance and reference. Provenance: ex-collection of Paul Gendre of France, the rare piece was earlier owned by the noted French painter and collector Jules Cavailles. In the book, Les Automates, by Jean Prasteau (Grund, 1968) the author relates how he visited the atelier of Cavailles to view his famous collection, spotted the Carved Walking Woman and declared it "la pi�ce la plus remarquable de la collection". The piece was also discussed and photographed in Les Automates by Eliane Maingot (Hachette, 1959).