$11,000
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sold
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Description
13" (33 cm.) h. Seated on a wooden piano stool in front of an ebony and rosewood upright piano with carved bone keyboard, gilt ormolu candle holders and music rack, and an ormolu basket of flowers, is a bisque head lady with blue glass inset eyes, painted lashes and brows, closed mouth, pierced ears and blonde mohair wig with elaborate coiffure, and with carton torso, metal hands, antique silk and woolen costume. When wound, music plays and the lady turns her head side to side, and moves her fingers up and down the keyboard. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Gustav Vichy, circa 1878, the luxury automaton was presented at prestige Parisian boutiques such as Maison Giroux. Value Points: the elegant automaton performs in a gracious and refined manner, has strong and well-rendered music, and is perfectly exhibited within a setting of French poupees.