$8,000
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sold
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Description
31" (79 cm.) Standing in a jaunty yet sophisticated manner upon a velvet-covered flat base with gilt ball feet is a black-complexioned paper mache man with highly characterized features, brown glass eyes, black sculpted brows, broad nose, very full lips with hidden hinge at lower lip, row of teeth, black fleecy hair, slender carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, and paper mache hands posed to hold the banjo. When wound, he moves his head in a complicated manner, his lower lip moves, and he strums the banjo, while musical tunes play. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Vichy, circa 1890. Value Points: rare Vichy automaton, with especially fine detail of facial sculpting and having original finish, original antique silk costume.