$10,000
Sold
sold
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Description
15" (38 cm.) h. seated. 13" x 13" base. A
bisque-head doll with brown glass eyes,mohair
lashes,open mouth,four porcelain teeth,carton
torso and lower legs,silk and lace dress with
black velvet trim,is seated upon a wooden box
stage with tapestry cover to appear as though it
was a carpet. In her right hand she holds a ball
and string toy,and scattered around the floor at
her feet are a fur-covered white kitten,an
all-bisque miniature doll,a jump rope,and a little
basket. When wound,the doll turns her head from
side-to-side,opening and closing her eyes and
alternately lifting each hand,as though to tease
the kitten with the ball and string; on
occasion,she leans forward and kicks her foot up
and down in delight,while the tune "Ta Ra Ra Buum"
plays. Condition: generally excellent,silk dress
has some frailness,mechanism and music function
well. Marks: SH 1039 7 dep (doll head) L.B. (key)
L.B (printed letterhead of tune label and pencil
notated "Ta Ra Ra Buum" tune). Comments: Leopold
Lambert,circa 1895,who deposed this actual model
with its complicated movements and presentation
with these words,"I placed a child on the floor
and surrounded the child with toys. I took careful
note of the movements made by the child and I have
managed to imitate the entire range of these
movements". Value Points: rare and delightful
automaton with unexpectedly intricate and charming
movements,rightfully considered by Lambert as a
signature and important work of his firm.