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Description
14" (36 cm.) h. The wooden piano with ebony and rosewood
finishes,cast iron feet,and a surmounting wood-framed glass
cabinet in which are four little black-haired china dolls with
(frail) silk and lace costumes that are each posed on the velvet-
lined floor by means of a thin metal rod. When the piano keys are
tapped,it causes the dolls to dance about,while the simple
tinkling music plays. Labeled "Gem" in gilt lettering. Very good
overall condition with some rubs on original finish.
American,Gem,circa 1885,the firm presented the rare amusing and
learning toy in several size variations; an eight-doll example is
at the Strong Museum in Rochester,New York,for example.