An elaborate amusing arrangement upon an ebonized oval wooden base features a glass-eyed monkey seated upon a moss-covered paper mache knoll, under the shade of a flowering tree. At his feet is a glass-over-mirrored "pond" with painted water lilies; below the layer of glass is a fish. He is costumed as an elegant country gentleman or marquis in purple pants and cap, has a white mohair wig and long side burns, carved open mouth with painted teeth, and painted shoes and stockings. The scene is decorated with rich foliage. The mechanism operates from keywind and pull lever at the side, and an independent musical string. Two tunes are played according to the original paper tune labelon base; the name of the first is illegible, the second appears to be La Cuiraficus de Reichakoffen Chassaigne and the label is numbered 8519.
Movements: The Monkey Marquis turns his head to the side and back, and blinks his eyes. He then lifts his pipe that fits perfectly between his opening/closing lips, and then tilts his head upward as though exhaling. he then casts the fishing pole held in his right hand while the fish darts around in circles.
Historical References: The piece combines the amusing monkey parody of French aristocracy with the French fantasy of country living. It appeared in the 1885 English wholesale trade catalog of Silber and Fleming as model #593.