20" (51 cm.) Standing upon a velvet covered wooden platform is a Chinese lady with rich amber tinted complexion, oval facial shape with modeled high cheekbones, narrow brown glass inset eyes, thick black eyeliner, lightly feathered brows and lashes, aquiline nose with flared accented nostrils, closed mouth with full accented lips, pierced ears, black mohair wig over cork pate, carton torso and legs, wire upper arms, amber tinted bisque forearms. When wound, the lady elegantly turns her head side to side in an upward sweep, tentatively nods, lifts right arm to pour tea (twice),offers the cup of tea, pauses and repeats, while music plays. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: L.B. (key) (scraps of original tune label on base). Comments: Leopold Lambert, circa 1888,the piece appears in his original catalog as #39 described as "Chinois Verseuse" and having "tete caracterisee". Lambert commissioned the unique "character face" from Jumeau and was likely quite proud of this. It appeared on no other automaton or doll ever located to date. Value Points: extremely rare model with outstanding quality of sculpting and finest bisque and complexion with lustrous patina, original perfect hands, superb royal purple silk kimono with embroidered flowers. The doll is said to be from the early doll collection of 19th century actress Sarah Bernhardt.