$9,500
Sold
sold
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Description
20" (51 cm.) Standing upon a maroon velvet-covered base in an elegantly-mannered pose is
a bisque man with amber-brown complexion and highly-characterized features,brown glass
inset eyes,painted lashes and brows,broad nose with accent dots,open mouth,extended chin
and jaw lines,black fleecy wig,slender carton torso and legs,black bisque hands. When
wound,music plays and he strums the mandolin he holds in his hands while turning his head
from side to side. Condition: generally excellent,mechanism and music function well,some
costume fraility. Marks: E,J. (incised on neck,along with tiny incised script letter N and 10.
Comments: Leopold Lambert,the automaton appeared in their 1885-era catalog as model 21
described as "Negro Mandoliniste",shown wearing this identical costume including jewel fob
on chain; the rare facial model with unique E.J. signature indicates that Jumeau created
character models for Lambert prior to the 200 character faces of 1892. Value Points: the rarity
and charm of the original automaton is enhanced by his particularly handsome face and fine
quality of bisque.