Charming French Musical Automaton "Lady and Child at the Roulette Wheel" by Phalibois

Live Auction

26" (66 cm.) overall. 12" lady. Posed upon an ebony wooden base that is decorated with faux ferns,beneath a garden arbor with decorative silk leaves,is a bisque head lady with large blue glass paperweight eyes,painted features,closed mouth,pierced ears,blonde mohair wig,carton torso and legs,wire upper arms,and paper-mache hands,holding a paddle (croupier) with brass bail handle in her right hand,and a carved bone bell-shaped object in her left. An all- bisque mignonette with swivel head,cobalt blue eyes,peg-jointed elongated bisque arms and legs,and painted brown ankle boots stands at her side and a drum-shaped cabinet with roulette wheel under the glass surface is decorated with the charming phrase "Voila le Plaisir" in gilt lettering. Music plays when the side cord is pulled,and when wound and levers pulled,delightful activities occur: the lady nods her head,turns side to side,her right wrist twists to move the paddle,and her left arm extends as though ringing the bell,while the little girl moves her right arm exactly at the moment that the roulette arrow turns and stops at a new number. The original glass dome covers the scene. Condition: generally excellent,music is especially strong and rich,movements function well. Marks: Brevete SGDG H Paris (on roulette surface). Comments: Jean-Marie Phalibois,Paris,circa 1875,the firm created several automaton featuring gambling scenes,most notably with monkey magicians,although this particular scene is virtually unknown. Value Points: the rarity of the automaton is rivaled by its charming scene and wonderful state of preservation including original silk costumes,and rare roulette table. The automaton was acquired by Estelle Johnston from the famed Samuel Pryor collection in 1983.