A brown velvet covered base displays an amusing vignette that features a bisque-head girl with blue glass eyes, open mouth, brunette mohair wig, carton torso and legs, and bisque arms, standing alongside her paper mache pup and a balancing stool. She holds a ribbon-decorated training baton in one hand and a wooden hoop in the other. The pup, with wonderfully sculpted bulldog features and painting, and glass eyes, stands upward on two back feet, his front paws in begging position. The girl wears her original aqua green silk dress with lace trim, lace cap, matching shoes. The dog wears a silk costume.
Movements: The girl alternately raises the training rod and then the wooden hoop, and turns her head side to side, as though imploring the pup to "jump, jump". The movements of the pup are humorous. He tilts his head and his body (independently) back and forth, moves his front paws with elbow hinges as though about to leap, then retreats. Throughout, his tail wags back and forth. Music plays.
Historical References: Although this series of fin-de-siecle automata has previously been attributed to Renou, new historical research by Francois Theimer, published in "Encyclopedia of French Dolls", proves the actual maker was Rambour, successor to the Leon Casimir Bru novelties business and patent designs. Rambour, during a seven year period at the end of the 19th century, introduced a series of charming, childlike scenes with amusing and timeless appeal that are very rare to find today.