$41,000
Sold
sold
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Description
24"(61 cm.) overall. 20"clown. A bisque-headed clown with
unusual character expression enhanced by untinted white
complexion with painted clown decorations of lady bugs and
blue ants,small blue glass eyes,closed mouth with smiling
expression,original wig,has carton torso and legs,wire upper
arms and bisque forearms. He is posed in an elegant manner
behind a wooden table with green felt cover,and is wearing his
original magenta silk jacket with gold silk lapels,shirt,fitted
pants,leggings and tall top hat. He holds a baton in his right
hand and a silver cup in his left. When wound,the clown
performs a series of movements: moving head from side to side
as though seeking an audience,then nodding to begin the
performance. He taps the cone three times with the baton,and
lifts the cone to reveal a treasure beneath. The action is
repeated and each time a different treasure is revealed: three red
balls,a sunflower with red "jewel"center,a silver star with
"diamond"decorations (one missing),and a gilded butterfly.
Meanwhile,two tunes are played (Le Lac Champlain and Ma Petite
Fauvette). Condition: generally excellent,mechanism and music
function well. Marks: L.B. (key) N (script letter on head). (original
paper tune label). Comments: Leopold Lambert,from his
conjuror series,the models more commonly found with paper
mache head,circa 1890,this bisque head likely commissioned
from Emile Jumeau. Value Points: extremely rare model with
most amusing actions enhanced by rare character expression on
uniquely commissioned bisque head,luxury quality of
"surprises"and original costume.