$39,000
Sold
sold
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Description
23" (58 cm.) l. 30"h. 13"d. Arranged upon a wooden platform base is a ladder upon which is posed a paper mache jester, his two hands clasping the top rung of the ladder, and with painted rosy complexion, bi-color hair with faux ears, and wearing original jester costume with amusing appliques including running piglets. Along with a paper mache classic Parisian kiosk, with a paper mache clerk seated at the cashier window, and with 12 amusing posters decorating the exterior including the Folies Bergeronettes, circus, painless dentist, and "Jeux et Jouets de France". The interior of the kiosk is filled with a bounty of miniature novelties, toys and accessories. The automaton is electrical, and when activated, wonderful amusing activities occur: the jester raises to horizontal level, balancing on his hands, then lifting his body to balance on only one hand, then lowering himself and repeating. Meanwhile, the kiosk revolves around and around. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism functions well. Comments: Vichy, Triboulet epoch, circa 1910. Value Points: very rare publicity automaton in fine original condition, with captivating movements and superb decorations and kiosk offerings.