$9,500
Sold
sold
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Description
23" (58 cm.) Standing upon a flat velvet covered base is a bisque-headed man with blue glass
paperweight inset eyes,richly painted dark curly lashes and brows,aquiline nose with shaded
nostrils,closed mouth with accented lips,pierced ears,brunette human hair over cork
pate,carton torso containing mechanism with protruding metal rod for attachment of
drum,metal rod upper arms,paper mache hands,paper mache lower legs and sculpted black
boots. Condition: generally excellent,mechanism functions well. Marks: Depose Tete Jumeau
Bte SGDG 7 (and artist checkmarks). Comments: Roullet et Decamps,circa 1885,a series of
drummer automata were made by the firm including large black man,soldiers,and fanciful
drummer cats and monkeys; each were advertised as being "sans musique" (without music).
When wound,the drummer turns head from side to side,nods,and beats the drum. Value
Points: rare model with superb portrait bisque face only found on luxury models,red woolen
marching uniform including cap which appears original. $9000/14,000