20à (51 cm.) conjuror. 24" overall. Standing upon a velvet covered platform behind a cloth covered wooden table is a bisque-headed clown with highly characterized face, white complexion, and painted clown decorations of insects and butterflies, blue glass eyes, white mohair wig, carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, bisque forearms and wearing original silk costume of rose and gold with ivory vest, leggings, silk shoes. He holds a wooden baton in his left hand and his right hand is balanced on a silver cone that sits on the table. When wound, the clown performs a series of movements: moving head from side to side as though seeking an audience, then nodding to begin the performance. He taps the cone three times with the baton, and lifts the cone with his right hand revealing a treasure beneath. He repeats the action, and each time a different treasure is revealed: a small pocket watch, a jeweled brooch, a silver trinket or a die. Meanwhile two tunes are played. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: LB (on key). N (script letter on head). Comments: Leopold Lambert, a variation of his popular conjuror series, this being the only known version with decorated clown head in bisque. Value Points: exceptionally rare automata in perfectly preserved state, with original costume, accessories, "surprises", and rare and superbly modeled bisque character head.