$4,500
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Description
22" (56 cm.) h. dome. 12"h. lady. A peaceful garden scene is depicted under an arbor of
flowers and leaves with hanging bird cage,centered by a bisque-head lady with large blue
glass enamel eyes,painted features,closed mouth. pierced ears,original elaborate
coiffure,wearing her traditional Normandy costume. She stands behind a wooden ironing
table,with baskets of fresh linens and potted flowers at her feet,holding a wooden-handled
iron. When wound,the lady turns her head from side to side,and moves her hand forward and
back as though ironing,all the while enjoying the garden scenes around her. Two musical
tunes play. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (original music tune on the base).
Comments: French,attributed to Phalibois who specialized in mechanical vignettes that
romanticized scenes of daily life,circa 1870. Value Points: especially charming automaton in
appealing smaller size,with wonderful scene and activity; the automaton is beautifully-
preserved with fresh scenery,and well-functioning music and mechanism.