20" (51 cm.) h. 19" base. Arranged upon an oval ebony base is a paper mache scene depicting a French village set against a coursing stream with brice bridge. The houses, of pasteboard with gesso and hand-painted architectural details, include multi-storied affairs and a windmill. There is a path with fence leading up the hillside to the windmill, a full-masted ship is centered in the rushing waters, and 15 soldiers on horseback, with bugle, flag or sabres, are posed upon the bridge as though entering the village. When strings activated at the sides, three actions occur: the soldiers march along, the ship moves up and down in the waves, and the windmill turns. Meanwhile music plays. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well, works and presentation are entirely original. Comments: in the manner of Tharin of Paris, circa 1860. Value Points: charming early piece whose handmade and painted scenery and wooden works construction is visible from the back side, under original glass dome with painted background to enhance the scene.