French Musical Automaton "La Mascotte" by Gustave Vichy

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24" (61 cm.) Standing upon a flat velvet-covered wooden platform is a bisque-headed doll with brown glass paperweight eyes,closed mouth,lovely painted features,pierced ears,blonde mohair wig,bisque shoulder plate with carton torso and legs,bisque forearms. She is costumed in rich velvets and silk satins with hand-painted designs,and carries a uniquely-shaped wicker market basket with hinged lid that contains a bird.Movements and Music. Although the basket appears to be supported by her arm,it is actually attached to her torso by metal rods through which the action is created. The girl turns her head side-to-side and then nods while raising the lid of the basket to reveal the sleeping bird,which then awakens,lifting its head and chirping. There are two tunes. Gustave Vichy,Paris,circa 1890,The doll is marked "Depose Tete Jumeau 7". The model was likely inspired by the 1880 operetta La Mascotte by Edmond Audran that captivated Paris for more than 1000 performances. In the operetta,set in 17th century France,the farm-girl Bettina (La Mascotte) brought good luck to whoever possessed her as long she remained a virgin. In an act I duet,Bettina tells Pippo she loves him almost as much as she loves her cherished farmyard birds. This automaton delightfully captures the essence of the operetta theme.