French Musical Scene Animee

Live Auction

29" (74 cm.) Arranged upon a ground-covered wooden ebony base is a park-like grande setting with over-reaching flowered arbor and waterfall. Posed under the arbor is a paper-mache monkey with oil-painted features,brown fur hair,glass eyes,hinged jaw and original silk dancer's costume. He is posed on one toe in classic ballet position upon a red mercury glass ball,holding flags in each outstretched hand.Movements and Music. The ball revolves while the monkey performs jetes and gaily waves the flags in each hand. He nods his head,turns side-to-side,lower lip moves open and closed as though he is singing along with his dance performance. A twisted glass waterfall plays at his side. The mirrored base creates an illusion of even more than the six delightful animations that do occur. Lovely quality of music. Phalibois,circa 1890. The theme of monkey posed as human,often either as aristocracy or theatrical,was a constant in mid-19th century French popular culture. Many observers believe the symbol to have been political commentary on particular events now forgotten,while others see it simply as wry social observation on human behavior,inspired by the then-current topic of Darwinism.