23". An exceptionally handsome couple, the Marquise and Marquis, are posed as for a formal dance, he with bisque head having rare portrait like features, brown glass eyes, closed mouth, white mohair wig, carton body, legs and hands. The lady has bisque swivel poupee head on bisque shoulder plate, small blue glass eyes, closed mouth, long blonde mohair wig, carton upper torso, beautifully shaped bisque arms to above the elbows with sculpted elbow dimples, metal cone-shaped base under the skirt that contains the clockwork mechanism. The man and woman are attached by a metal rod from torso to torso; she has small gliding wheels on bottom of her base, and he is slightly lifted from the floor so he will glide easily on her support. The costumes are totally original, she wearing patterned silk taffeta gown with Alencon lace trim and rich braid of metallic beads, he wearing ivory taffeta suit with metallic bead braid, lace jabot, tricorn hat, heeled shoes. Marked G. Vichy Paris (metal plaque on cone) and original paper tune label on underside of cone skirt.
Movements: The couple glides and twirls in an elegant waltz-like fashion while music plays.
Historical Notes: The waltzing couple automaton had been made for several decades before this model, most particularly by Theroude about 1850, using dolls with paper mache heads. The construction was clever by hiding the mechanism under the woman's skirt, Vichy was able to pose his dolls without the need of a platform, lending them a more lifelike expression. This couple is preserved in remarkable all-original condition, originating from a French estate in the Province where it has lived since its 1880 production.