$4,000
Sold
sold
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Description
10" (25 cm.) seated. 14" overall including base. Seated upon a green velvet base which is attached to a wooden base containing mechanism, is a paper mache man with brown glass eyes, painted features, open mouth with wide smiling expression and double row of teeth, white mohair wig, carton torso and legs with bent knees, wire upper arms, wooden hands, wearing original blue silk costume with soutache trim, silk vest, green velvet cap and holding a wooden violin and bow. When wound, and string pulled, he nods and rolls his head, his eyes blink side to side, he strums the violin in a very realistic manner, and he taps his right foot, while music plays. A brass plaque attached to the front of the base reads "Le Violiniste, Automate de Phalibois Vers 1860". Condition: generally excellent, small tear in pants, mechanism and music function well. Comments: Jean Phalibois, circa 1865. Value Points: charming early automaton with wonderful face and intricate realistic movements.