$6,000
Sold
sold
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Description
26" (66 cm.) A romantic countryside scene depicts a rocky hillside with windmill perched at
the peak,a pond,and a stone building with water wheel at the base of the hill and a painted tin
boat in the ?pond" in which a paper mache man is seated,with three ducks alongside. The
naturalistic scene is enhanced by feathered and painted vines and leaves. When activated,the
tin boat moves side-to-side as though being rowed,the man waves a stick at the ducks to
frighten them away,while the small duck bobs his head up and down as though drinking from
the pond and the larger duck pivots back and forth as though swimming. Throughout,the
waterwheel revolves,the windmill turns,the glass waterfall appears to stream,and music plays.
The automaton is preserved under glass dome with painted scene on the back. Condition:
generally excellent,mechanism and music function well,repair to bottom back of glass dome.
Comments: French,Phalibois,circa 1880. Value Points: an intricately-designed automaton with
seven different movements and two tunes,most endearing activities depicting a peaceful day
in the countryside.