Very Rare and Elegant French Bisque Portrait Lady with Waltzing Movements

Live Auction

15" (38 cm.) Bisque shoulder head with perfectly oval face and defined throat hollow at the base of her elongated throat, cobalt blue enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted curly lashes, arched brows, accented nostrils of aquiline-shaped nose, closed mouth with suggestion of smile, unpierced ears, carton torso and legs, hand-stitched original kid arms having fingers stitched to hold objects; the torso is attached to a wooden platform with hidden mechanical works which is resting on three cast brass wheels. When wound, music plays and the lady glides forward and in circles as though waltzing, while alternately lifting each arm to peer through her lorgnette or to fan herself. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: F. Depose G. (front shoulderplate). Comments; attributed to Roullet, circa 1867, with original commissioned portrait head from the porcelain firm of Gaultier. The gliding lady and similar waltzing couple automata remained desirable luxury pieces throughout the golden age of automata, beginning with wax models by Theroude about 1845, and continuing into outstanding bisque head examples such as this. Value Points: gorgeous portrait poupee, enhanced by original wig and lovely antique costume uniquely designed to both cover the mechanical box and prevent costume tangling with that box.