#59

French Musical Automaton "Black Performer with Banjo" Attributed to Leopold Lambert
Live Auction

$7,000
sold
Hero Image
Click image to enlarge
Description
23" (58 cm.) Standing upon a flat velvet-covered platform is a man with paper-mache head,brown complexion,brown glass eyes,articulated eye lids,hinged jaw,two rows of painted teeth,black mohair goatee,coral lips,slender torso and legs of paper-mache,their shape enhanced by tightly fitted black tights and large red silk shoes. The man wears red silk long-tailed jacket,ruffled shirt,top hat,watch fob with faux-jewel,and carries a long-stemmed banjo. Movements and Music. Moving his head in a convoluted yet realistic way,as though in time to the music,he open and closes his eyelids,and open his mouth as though singing in time to the music. He strums the banjo,and music plays. Attributed to Leopold Lambert,Paris,circa 1890. The highly theatrical original costume complements and enhances his well modeled character face.