$10,500
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sold
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Description
23" (58 cm.) including dome. 15" h. scene. 29"w. Arranged upon an ebony wooden base under glass dome is a vine-covered arch in which are posed a silk-garbed Monkey Aristocrat and his valet. The Aristocrat with walking stick and cigarette holder poses his leg upon a step stool, and the kneeling valet with brush is posed to polish his elegant foot wear. When wound, music plays, both figures blink open and close their eyes, open and close their hinged mouths as though chattering away, the Aristocrat lifts cigarette holder to lips, and the Valet polishes shoes. Condition: generally excellent, music and mechanisms function well. Comments: Phalibois, circa 1880, from his series of parlor domed automata designed as light-hearted satirical mockery of aristocrats. Value Points: well functioning amusing automaton is superb original condition.