$7,500
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
26" (66 cm.) Arranged upon an ebonized wooden oval base, under a glass dome with painted scenic background is a paper-mache lady seated at an upright piano with faux-rosewooden finish, and a paper-mache gentleman with violin, his violin case at his side. A dimensional card paper background depicts a garden scene with patio wall. Each person has painted features, enamel eyes, slightly parted lips, teeth, mohair wig, carton torso, metal hands, and is wearing original delicate silk costume with gilded paper trim. When wound, the lady moves her fingers over the keyboard, turning her head from side-to-side as though following her finger movement, and occasionally nodding, while the gentleman strums the violin while turning the violin to and fro in a realistic manner, his head turning side-to-side synchronically. Musical tunes play. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: attributed to Phalibois, Paris, circa 1865. Value Points: rare early automaton with charming scene, music and activity.