$17,000
Sold
sold
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Description
24" (61 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered wooden
base is a clown whose papier-mache head is
exuberantly decorated with painted butterflies and
insects on whitened complexion,with blue glass
eyes circled by brown and black eye-shadow and
brows,red-tipped nose,open mouth with long
tongue,auburn and white fleecy clown wig,on carton
torso and legs,metal arms,papier-mache
hands,wearing a magenta silk jacket over formal
vest and shirt,trousers,bow tie. He is posed in
front of a wooden table decorated with green felt
table cover edged with metallic braid and with
gilt metal symbols,a metal cone on the table top
which hides the surprises below. Condition:
excellent condition,original finish with some
minor flaking on tongue paint,mechanism and music
function well. Marks: LB (on key). Comments:
Leopold Lambert,circa 1890,when wound,he nods his
head and turns it in a realistic manner as though
looking at his audience and then at his surprises
which are alternately revealed when he taps the
table; the prizes include pearls,dice,pocket
watch,and a wonderful jeweled seahorse. Value
Points: well-preserved automaton with fabulous
facial decorations,wonderful surprises,faded
original paper tune on the front.