$7,000
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Description
14" (36 cm.) Seated on the edge of a paper mache rock is a bisque swivel-head woman with bisque shoulderplate, large brown glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, lushly painted long lashes, brushstroked and feathered brows, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth, pierced ears, brunette mohair wig over cork pate, paper mache torso with modeled bosom and legs in bent seated pose, metal upper arms, bisque forearms. A paper mache basket with sculpted fish on the lid to suggest a full basket of fish is attached to the rock, and the woman holds a fish net with three tin fish in her hands. When wound, she turns her head side to side, nods, lifts the fish net she holds, and the basket lid opens as though she is offering fresh fish to the passers-by. Condition: generally excellent, music and motion function well. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau 4. Comments: French, circa 1890, attributed to Vichy. Value Points: rare automaton with beautiful face and eyes that enhance the daily life activity, the lady with original costume and accessories. No other example of this piece, possibly a unique commissioned automaton, is known.