Seated on the back rung of a wooden slat-back chair with rush seat is a handsome gentleman with paper mache head, brown glass eyes with leather eyelids and mohair lashes, ruddy complexion, upturned nose, hinged lower lip, painted teeth, brunette mohair wig, carton torso and legs, hinged right hip, and paper mache hands with expressively posed fingers. He holds a paper mache pig on his left knee. The pig, who is posed in seated position as though a human baby, has artistically painted features, glass eyes, double-curled tail, and a moveable tongue between open lips. The gentleman wears his original costume of silk vest and shirt, velvet jacket, silk tie and cummerbund, plaid silk pants, wool felt hat, and a wonderful fitted leather shoes. He carries a silk tied knapsack with treats for the pig, and holds a pastry tart in his hand.
Movements: The Farmer offers the pastry to the pig who tries to eat it. The pig inclines his head, turns his head and hungrily moves his tongue in and out four or five times. But the farmer is not satisfied with the pig's performance and he withdraws the tart, shrugs his shoulders and stamps his right foot as though angry. The farmer's eyes blink throughout, and he constantly chatters to the pig as his bottom lip opens and closes. The neck mounting is somewhat loose on the farmer impeding the head turning to some degree. Music plays.
Historical References: The automaton appeared in the Vichy catalog named Paysan et Nourisson, number 511. The detailed description of the movements in the Vichy catalog indicates the maker's special delight in the piece. Vichy's attention to detail included a special sculpt of the superbly painted gentleman's face with its ruddy country complexion, the man's body posed in a harmonious blend of solicitude and scorn, and a perfectly delightful piglet who is really trying to get that tart. Circa 1890.