French Bisque Mechanical Toy by Vichy in Rare Large Size

Live Auction

13" (33 cm.) l. 15"overall height. Seated upon a paper mache donkey with flocked hide,amber glass eyes,attached ears,and wonderful parade ornamental fringe and bells,is a bisque-head man with blue glass eyes,painted lashes and brows,closed mouth,brunette mohair wig,carton torso and legs,metal hands,wearing his original silk costume and holding a wine bottle in his hands. The donkey and rider are mounted upon a painted metal platform which rests on three spoked wheels,with mechanism hidden below the platform. When wound,the toy moves forward and in circles while the man lifts the bottle up to his mouth to drink. Condition: generally excellent,mechanism functions,some typical fraility to original costume. Marks: Vichy Paris (mechanism). Comments: Vichy,circa 1870. Value Points: an imaginative and well- preserved luxury toy in rare to find large size.