$140,000
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Description
39"(99 cm.) overall. 27"h. lady. Posed upon an architecturally
detailed wooden base with tapestry carpet is a paper mache
head woman with exotic features and oil-painted over gesso
complexion in rich amber-brown complexion,brown glass
eyes,closed mouth,and waist-length black human hair hand-tied
wig. Her body is entirely sculpted in female shape posed with
slightly bent right knee,and a separate "plate"above the bosom
allowing for the illusion of breathing. There is swivel jointing at
the upper right arm,and lower left arm hidden by gilded
bracelets,and she wears a superb costume of metallic gilt
threads interwoven with green faux-emeralds. In her right hand
she holds a trumpet,and in her left hand is a snake that is
wrapped sensuously around her arm. There are six animations
performed while four tunes play. She weaves her head to and fro
in a mesmerizing circular motion while her upper arm
pivots,thus bringing the trumpet to her mouth and lending the
illusion that she is calling to the snake. Her left arm pivots which
appears to bring the snake to life,and the snake lifts his
head,then lowers it as if charmed. Throughout her chest lifts up
and down as though she is breathing in passion or fear. Several
persons have been suggested as the inspiration for the
extraordinary piece including Colette the French novelist who,in
1905,performed as Salome in Paris theatres costumed in a bare-
breasted style that is suggestive of this automata. And there was
Nala Damajanti,the Hindu Snake Charmer who performed at the
Folies Bergere. Whomever the inspiration,the Charmeuse de
Serpente (Snake Charmer) was the pride and joy of the Decamps
family. It was originally designed to be exhibited nude until
squelched by Madame Decamps on moral grounds. Fewer than
15 of Charmeuse de Serpente are known to exist,and so rare is
the piece that it was never offered in any catalog of the Roullet
et Decamps firm.