$14,500
Sold
sold
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Description
24" (61 cm.) A bisque-head doll with brown glass
paperweight eyes,lushly-painted
lashes,rose-blushed eye shadow,brush-stroked and
feathered brows,shaded nostrils,closed mouth with
beautifully-shaded and accented lips,pierced
ears,blonde mohair wig,cork pate,bisque shoulder
plate,carton torso and legs,wire upper arms,and
bisque forearms,is standing upon a wooden platform
with gold crushed-velvet cover. She has a covered
wicker basket attached to her side (by hidden rods
which connect the mechanism),and is exquisitely
costumed in rich velvet and silk with hand-painted
designs,lace and silk pom-pom accents,silk bonnet
and wooden shoes. When wound,two musical tunes
play in sequence,while the girl lifts,turns and
nods her head as though noticing the lid opening
on the basket and the little bird
awakening,rising,and lifting its head to chirp.
Condition: generally excellent,mechanism and music
function well,professional restoration to one
hand. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau 7 (head).
Comments: Gustav Vichy,Paris,1885,the automaton
was inspired by the 1880 operetta "La Mascotte"
that captivated Paris during that era. Bettina,(La
Mascotte) tells her lover Pippo in an Act I duet
that she loves him almost as much as her cherished
birds. Value Points: rare,delightful and
exquisitely-preserved automaton,with beautiful
music,charming concept,and exquisite facial model
and painting.