$9,500
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Description
20" (51 cm.) A brown-complexioned man with
paper-mache head having refined features with
strong chin and high cheek bones,brown glass eyes
with movable eyelids,open mouth with row of upper
teeth,black fleecy hair,carton torso,papier-mache
hands,and is wearing a silk patterned jacket with
pink coral silk lining and cummerbund,silk shirt
with bow tie,ruby-centered buttons and cuff
links,and velvet cap. The bust is mounted upon a
well-crafted wooden plinth,and holds a wooden
banjo in his arms. When wound,the man turns his
head from side-to-side,blinks his eyes,and
teasingly sticks out his tongue,while playing his
banjo; suddenly,when the music ends,he lifts his
right arm triumphantly in the air as though to
signal the end of the performance. Condition:
generally excellent,music and movements function
well. Comments: Gustav Vichy,circa 1890. Value
Points: amusing automaton designed as a salon
decoration that could suddenly "come alive" with
music and motion,beautifully-preserved with rich
patina of complexion.