$48,000
Sold
sold
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Description
28"(71 cm.) (excluding hat). Standing upon a red velvet covered
base is a handsome man representing a Mexican mariachi
singer,having leather-covered paper mache head with very rich
ebony complexion,brown glass eyes,leather eyelids,painted
features,open mouth with two rows of teeth,black fleecy
hair,carton torso and legs,wire upper arms,paper mache hands.
The man is wearing his original mariachi costume (albeit
somewhat frail) comprising elaborately decorated silk shirt and
fitted trousers,wide tie,silk shoulder shawl,and a matching
feathered hat. He carries a uniquely shaped seven-string guitar
of fine fruitwoods. Condition: generally excellent,music and
mechanism function well. Comments: Roullet et Decamps,circa
1885,the automaton was featured in an early catalog of that
firm,named "Mexicain". When wound he moves his head in a
nodding and circular fashion,blinks his eyes,and strums the
guitar in a realistic manner,while music plays. Value Points: very
rare model of which few are known to exist,with luxury details in
all aspects of construction and costuming.