$7,000
Sold
sold
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Description
16" (41 cm.) seated. Seated on a fancy stool in front of an upright rosewood piano with ebony
beading is a bisque-head lady with blue glass paperweight inset eyes,painted lashes and
brows,closed mouth,pierced ears,blonde mohair wig over cork pate,carton torso and lower
legs,hinged upper wire upper arms,metal hands,wearing lovely antique silk gown. When
wound,music plays and she turns her head elegantly from side to side,nods,and runs her
fingers across the keyboard in a realistic manner. Comments: Vichy,circa 1875. the piano lid
lifts open to reveal a hidden candy box,and the back curtain folds back to reveal another box.
Value Points: exceptional example of the elegant life style of mid-1900s Paris; the automaton
was designed to be displayed in the salon with desserts,and while it was being played,the lid
would be lifted to offer delicious candies from the finest chocolate shops. The luxury nature of
the automaton is further evidenced by details such as silk lining of the sound board,and fine
ormolu triple-bracket candle holders,while the lady,herself,is exquisitely beautiful and
original.