Rare French Automaton

Live Auction

33" (84 cm.) Of composition and gesso,the automaton depicts an exotic woman with rich amber-brown complexion,brown glass eyes,closed mouth,portrait-like features,and waist-length brunette hair; her uniquely sculpted adult female body posed with slightly bent right knee,a separate plate above the bosom allowing for breathing,swivel jointing at upper right arm and lower left arm allow intricate articulation. Her costume is of metallic gilt threaded fabric interwoven with green faux-jewels,and elaborate gilt bracelets cover the swivel joints of the arms. In her right hand she holds a trumpet; in her left hand is a snake that is wrapped around her arm. When wound,her upper right arm pivots,bringing the trumpet toward her mouth; her lower left arm pivots which appears to bring the snake to life; the snake lifts his head,then lowers it as if charmed. All the while,four different tunes are played. Condition: generally excellent,wonderfully-preserved,mechanism and music function well. Comments: Roullet et Decamps,circa 1900,the persona of the Snake Charmer remains a mystery. The international expositions in Paris in 1889 and 1900 stimulated interest in exotic cultures,to be sure. But,more specifically,the Snake Charmer was likely inspired by popular culture of the early 20th century. It is possible the inspiration was the French novelist Colette who,in about 1905,performed as Salome in Paris theatres costumed in a sensuous bare-breasted manner that closely resembles this automaton,or Miss Paula,the Amphibian Woman,Trainer of Crocodiles and Snakes,who performed in scantily dressed costume to delighted Parisian audiences,or Nala Damajanti,the Hindu Snake Charmer,who performed at the Folies Bergere. The early noted French automaton collector,Jacques Courtois,declared this piece "the pride and joy of the Decamps family - their masterpiece" noting that the figure was originally designed to be exhibited nude,but Madame Decamps opposed this on moral grounds. This explains why the body is fully sculpted rather than an unfinished armature form designed to be covered by a costume as was the norm; and,in fact,it is the only automaton so made. Value Points: fewer than fifteen of the automata are known to exist in the world,and so rare and intricate is the exotic Snake Charmer that is was never offered in any catalog,being produced by special commission only.