27" (69 cm.) lady seated. 38" overall. Arranged upon a wooden platform is a paper mache headed lady seated at an elegant pianoforte. The lady has glass eyes, closed mouth with a row of painted teeth in gentle smiling expression, original white mohair wig, carton body with separate chest form, paper mache hands with elegantly posed fingers, modeled bent knees with legs posed as though tapping foot pedals. The pianoforte with harp has cream painted finish with gilded decorations comprising a lyre-shaped foot-pedal frame, floral garlands, and gilded ormolu mounts including 5 cherub figures and sprays of roses and berries. There is a music sheet rack with antique miniature music sheet "Nous N'irons Plus au Bois", and foot pedals. The Vichy key and pull-lever are at the side of the piano, and when wound, a succession of motions occur: the lady turns her head from side to side, nods, moves both hands across the keys in a realistic manner, and breathes (chest movement) as though delighted with her performance. Four tunes play. Condition: mechanism and movement function well and are entirely original, pianoforte has been repainted long ago, the woman's face has craquelure and some retouch (and would best be professionally restored), wig original, antique costume as shown in original Vichy catalog. Comments: Vichy,circa 1895, the automaton appeared in the Vichy catalog described as "Piano Watteau" and with Vichy depose indication. Few examples of the model were ever made, and it is exceptionally rare. Some provenance of this piece is known: in the late 1930's a Frenchman, name unknown, escaped Paris, taking with him some family treasures including Faberge spoons and the Piano Watteau automaton. He later sold the automaton to Mr. Sullivan, attache to General McArthur, as a gift for his wife Ruth, and by the end of WWII the Pianist was located in Honolulu. It remained in storage for more than four decades until sold at auction in 1984 to Adrian and Donna Mathes where it has remained until this time.