$8,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
25" (64 cm.) A delightful vignette is arranged upon an ogee-shaped wooden ebonized base
with foliage-decorated ground and wooden picket fence. A large oven with painted black and
gilt finish and tall chimney and side shelves features an open oven door,in front of which is
standing a humanized paper mache monkey. The monkey with painted features has glass
eyes,mohair periwig,hinged jaw with painted teeth,wire upper arms,carton torso and legs,and
is wearing his original silk Marquis costume. His left hand is attached to the string of a brass
dinner bell suspended on a tall wooden pole,and his right hand is reaching toward the oven
tray of breads. An assortment of other breads,brioche and croissants are on the exterior
shelves. When wound,two musical tunes play,the monkey nods and turns his head,open and
closes his jaw as though in anticipation of a juicy treat,rings the bell,and appears to pull the
tray of just-baked breads in and out of the oven. Condition: generally excellent,mechanism
and music function well. Comments: Phalibois,circa 1875. Value Points: very rare automaton
with delightful and well-executed theme,intricate details,original paper tune label on
base,and wonderful state of preservation.