$5,000
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sold
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Description
28"(71 cm.) h. x 17". x 12". Two highly animated monkey musicians clothed in 18th century
style aristocratic costumes and playing the violin and large cello are seated atop a rosewood
cabinet containing an eight-air,hand-driven,reed-playing barrel organ. The be-wigged
monkeys have paper mache heads with glass eyes,moving upper and lower lips of painted
kidskin and highly characterized features. They wear silk tailcoats and pantalons leading down
to painted wooden lower limbs and wooden music racks are at their front. They play the
instruments in a lively animated fashion,with movement of head,lips and arms. Condition:
mechanism and music function well,the cabinet and monkeys are structurally excellent.
Comments: Thibouville-Lamy,France,circa 1875. The firm originated as makers of musical
instruments in 1790 and later added barrel organs to their trade,drawing upon the works of
artisans of Mirecourt,France where that artisan trade was centered. It is speculated that the
monkey figures were supplied by Theroude. Value Points: well-preserved and delightful
automaton with fascinating historical background.