Six-Tune Musical Automaton "The Bird Trainer" by Michel Bertrand After a Vichy Design

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43" (109 cm.) A high Renaissance-style minstrel from the halls of royalty is posed standing upon a velvet-covered stand,holding a flute in his right hand and with a brightly feathered bird perched on his left hand. His Asian-featured composition head,sculpted uniquely for this piece,has articulated eyelids and lower lip that opens to reveal the upper row of teeth and a mysterious yet gently smiling expression. He has black hair,moustache and goatee. His right hand has three articulated fingers to "play" the flute. The Bird Trainer is costumed in deep blue velvet with gold fleur-de-lis design,matching cape with orange lining and floral embroidery,lace cuffs,blue stockings and matching velvet slippers. The fleur-de-lis theme is echoed in brass decoration on corners of the platform,aside the brass plaque with maker's name,and even in the form of a double-fleur-de-lis winding handle. The body is of paper-mache,plaster and carved wood. Movements and Music,Beginning his lesson,the Bird Trainer nods,turns his head,moves his lips as if announcing the performance,blinks his eyes,and then brings the flute to his mouth. As he "plays" the flute,his fingers move,with the concealed cylinder music box sounding the melody. Then,removing the flute from his lips,he awaits the bird repeating the song. The bird takes its turn,turning its head from side-to-side,and then,teasingly,singing a different melody that emerges from a concealed bellows unit. Occasionally,the bird pauses,as though to reconsider,but never giving-in to imitate the man-made melody. The figure contains a long-running spring motor,and has nine animations and six melodious tunes. Michel Bertrand,Switzerland,1990,inspired by the 1890 Vichy original known as "Dresseur d'Oiseau". The figure represents a scene from the days when flute players were engaged to train caged birds to sing human melodies for royal amusement. Of the Vichy originals,only two examples are known to still exist. It is believed that Bertrand created only two examples of his inspired version of The Bird-Trainer,this being one and acquired directly by Jerry and Bunny Steinbaum from Michel Bertrand. It has rermained in the Steinbaum collection until this time.