#77

Musical Automaton "The Clown Conjuror with Six Secrets" in the Vichy Lineage by Michel Bertrand
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Description
38" (97 cm.) Arranged upon a burgundy velvet-draped rectangular wooden base is a Conjuring Clown,standing behind a pedestal table upon which he is about to perform sleight-of-hand. The Conjuring Clown has painted composition head and hands,eyes,large painted eyebrows in the shape of an inverted "v",pinkish nose and smiling red lips revealing a row of teeth. He is dressed in a multi-colored outfit comprising a white shirt,gold satin waistcoat,gold and red clown's neckerchief and cuffs,deep maroon velvet jacket,red pants and black shoes. The table before him has a gold-colored pedestal and is draped in green velvet with gold fringe. In his right hand,he holds the top of a large,red conjuring cup and in his left hand is a white magic wand. Movements and Music. While music plays,the Clown nods and looks around him. He blinks and moves his mouth as if talking to an assembled crowd of on-lookers,and waves his magic wand. As he raises and lowers the upturned red cup,objects appear and disappear in six successions: mouse,jewelry,flowers,goldfish,dice and bird in a cage. The movements are executed with grace and dexterity,directed by a large clockwork mechanism with eight cams hidden within the base. The six-tune musical movement is an antique one of good quality. Michel Bertrand,Switzerland,1993,under commission by Jerry and Bunny Steinbaum,inspired by the earlier automaton "Clown aux boules mysterieuses",as shown in the original Vichy/Triboulet early 20th century catalog. Bertrand was the successor to the Vichy/Triboulet/JAF firm and incorporated many of the original period Vichy parts in his creations which were often,as this one,interpretations of the earlier pieces.