$14,000
Sold
sold
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Description
13" (33 cm.) A bisque-head lady with swivel head
and bisque shoulder plate,cobalt blue glass
eyes,dark eyeliner,delicately-painted lashes and
brows,closed mouth with curved center accent line
that projects a gentle smile,ears pierced into
head,blonde mohair wig in ornate braided chignon
over cork pate,carton torso attached to tin
cone-shaped base,metal hands,is costumed in
original mauve and ivory silk gown with gilt
metallic braid and lace trim,and is connected with
a bisque-headed gentleman of equally-refined
features,elongated face with aquiline nose,blonde
mohair wig. The cone "skirt" hides an internal
mechanism,which when wound,causes the dolls to
twirl,glide and "waltz" in a realistic
manner,while music plays. Condition: generally
excellent,mechanism and music function well.
Marks: Brevete SGDG Theroude Paris (metal plate on
base). Comments: Alexandre Nicolas
Theroude,Paris,circa 1865,this automata is shown
in Faszinierende Welt der Automaten by Annette
Beyer (1983),ex-Marianne Bodmer collection before
its acquisition by Candy and Aaron Spelling. Value
Points: superb and rare early automata whose
elegant movements are rivaled by stunningly
beautiful faces and original elaborate
costumes,with provenance.