24 1/2". A bisque-headed clown is jauntily posed atop a full-moon. The clown has paper mache wings, brown glass eyes, closed mouth, painted clown features, auburn fleecy wig, carton torso and legs, bisque forearms, and wears ivory and gold clown costume with pleated ruffles at throat and cuffs, sequin beads, and matching cap. The dimpled-face full moon has movable brown glass eyes, open mouth with movable tongue, painted teeth, red nose, brown curly hair and brows, and wears a small brown top hat upon which the clown is resting his foot. The arrangement is presented upon a velvet covered wooden base that contains mechanisms.
Movements: The clown nods his head downward and then teases the moon by lowering a beetle on a string that he holds in his right hand. The clown's wings flutter back and forth to draw further attention to his mischievous act. The moon, however, is delighted and tries to capture the beetle in its mouth, moving his tongue back and forth. Periodically, the moon's eyes move, coming together as though cross-eyed from trying to focus on the beetle. At times the clown and moon move in sequence, at other times simultaneously. Music plays.
Historical References: The automaton appeared in the Roullet et Decamps catalog as #325 described as Clown sur pleine lune (clown on a full moon) and was described as "tres mouvemente" (very animated). The head, by Emile Jumeau, is the rare model Paris Bebe head, with character-like expression that lends extra panache to the presentation. The automata is a felicitous blending of the Parisian's delight in theatrics, fantasy, circus and the moon as a life-like figure. Few examples of this rare piece are known to exist; it likely was produced by commission only. Circa 1895.