$7,500
Sold
sold
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Description
21" (53 cm.) h. 20" w. Constructed upon an ebony wooden oval base is a dimensional scene of a fort with guard tower, viaduct with walkway, windmill, house, water wheel, ground, and a turbulent ocean upon which is a large sailing vessel. The scene is constructed of heavy stock and has hand-painted architectural details to further enhance the dimensional effect. When pull strings are activated a series of activities occur: soldiers on horseback ride across the viaduct bridge, the ship casts to and fro as the water moves choppily, the water wheel turns, the windmill turns, water appears to flow at the base of the viaduct, and a lone guard patrols around and around the watch tower. A glass dome has a hand-painted scene enhancing the effect, and when removed reveals a paper tune label listing "2 airs", namely "Madame Angot, Choeur des Conspirators" and "Les Cloches de Corneille". The first song, from the popular comic-operetta first performed in 1872, was set just after the French Revolution, which the scene appears to represent. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French, 1870s. Value Points: very fine original state of preservation with entrancing theme, many simultaneous movements, and beautiful music.