21" (53 cm.) h. overall. 23"l. 15" standing doll. Posed upon an ebony wooden platform that hides the mechanical and musical movements are three bisque-headed dolls, each with blue glass eyes, painted facial features, closed mouth, pierced ears, mohair wig, carton torso, wooden or paper mache hands and feet with applied shoes. The center standing doll depicts a conjuror who is standing behind a magical table with three cones or shells; the two flanking dolls are seated in musician pose, one with violin, one with cello. When wound, and lever released, two tunes of very fine musical quality play, and a series of complicated movements occur in alternating and synchronic paths; the conjuror sweeps her hand as though calling for attention, nods downward, lifts the shells (sometimes singly, sometimes in unison) to reveal a number of different "surprises" hidden beneath, each suggesting a rare gem, except for a die which appears periodically. Meanwhile the musicians play their instruments, nodding and turning their heads. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Phalibois of Paris, circa 1875, a duplicate piece with slight costume variations is in the Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum and is shown in Automata, The Golden Age by Bailly. Value Points: very rare luxurious automaton as indicated by three figures, fine music, portrait quality bisque faces, and wonderful original detail of costumes and accessories including textured floor that matches the table top.