$17,000
Sold
sold
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Description
30"(76 cm.) Seated upon a wooden taboret with inset "jewels"of
various colors is a paper mache headed figure with light brown
complexion,brown glass eyes,finely sculpted facial features,open
mouth with row of teeth,black fleecy hair under silk turban
cap,carton torso with shapely female form,elegantly posed
slender legs,paper mache lower arms with fingers posed to
pluck the harp. The mechanism and music are hidden beneath
the taboret seat and are activated by winding key and lever at
the taboret side. Condition: mechanism and music function
well,eyelids need recovering,some "jewels" missing in taboret.
Comments: Vichy,circa 1867,presented in his catalog as
"Harpiste Mauresque",the automaton was likely part of the series
presented at the 1867 Paris International Exposition,designed to
appeal to traveling international aristocracy. Value Points: rare
automaton whose luxury details include finely decorated
taboret,harp with figural lady's head on frame,and elaborate
gold jewelry,with beautiful movements and music.