$9,000
Sold
sold
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Description
29"(74 cm.) h. Arranged upon an oval wooden base with ebony-finish is a Moorish-style
setting in which a woman delicately balances and dances on a rope while a nearby musician
serenades her performance. The scene is made of cartonnage with decorated architectural
details,and the persons wears original costumes. There is a concealed two-tune music box,a
2-train hour-chiming timepiece stamped Balior Louri,F. 7902,64.,and a finely crafted
automaton mechanism with brass cams. The presentation is arranged under a glass dome.
Condition: very good,the clock has early alternation from silk thread to spring suspension
and needs replacement pendulum,dome has one small piece lacking at back side. Comments:
maker unknown,circa 1860,until the development of the common mans circus during the
late 1800s the exotic art of tightrope dancing was mostly performed for the entertainment of
royalty and privileged. The act incorporated balance with delicacy and grace. Value Points:
enchanting animated scene with music,clock and movement.