#68

French Musical Automaton "Acrobat Clown on Ladder"
Live Auction

Passed
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Description
24" (61 cm.) Upon a velvet-covered wooden platform is a seven-step ladder on which is posed a white-faced paper-mache clown balanced upon his hands. The clown has brown glass eyes,open mouth,painted clown decorations,and red auburn hair,and is wearing a bead-trimmed silk clown costume. Movements and Music. The clown raises himself to nearly a horizontal position above the ladder,and then lowers himself so he appears to be standing on the 4th rung. He repeats the action,but,this time,when he is upraised,he lifts his left hand,and balances himself on his right hand only. He repeats the actions,over and over again. One tune is heard,"La Derniere Gavotte",according to original tune label. Circa 1900,having charming movements and music.