A figural bust displayed upon its original ebonized wooden base portrays a black man playing the banjo. The paper mache head with handsome characterized features has rich dark brown complexion with later added wax overlay, brown glass eyes with leather eyelids, and open mouth. He has fleecy black hair, carton torso, paper mache hands with very expressive fingers posed as though strumming. he is wearing a silk shirt and tie, and striped velvet jacket with brown lapels. The wooden banjo has original paint and strings. There is a craquelure to the original wax overlay. The mechanism is activated by original attached Vichy key and pull lever.
Movements: He turns his head side-to-side, nods, blinks eyes, sticks out his tongue just to the tips of his lips, and peacefully strums the banjo. This motion is repeated several times. Suddenly, he lifts his right hand high as though to say the song is finished, and at the same time he sticks his tongue way out in a playful manner. Music plays, and appears to be synchronized to the finale behavior.
Historical References: A pair of pedestal-mounted automaton depicting a Japanese lady and man were shown in the Vichy catalog. This model was not shown and may have been made on special commission, a service that Vichy offered. The face differs from the classic black model offered by Vichy (see #59) in having variation of mouth treatment, that allows the delightful action of the finale. Circa 1890.