Standing upon a velvet-covered base is a handsome black man who displays a tray of fruit. He has an oil-painted face of kid-skin over paper mache, glass eyes, leather eyelids, hinged jaw, two rows of painted teeth, long bushy moustache, carton torso and legs, and paper mache hands. A metal rod and turning cams extend from his torso to the tray. The tray has a very refined gilded metal filigree fence, velvet surface and holds three oil-painted paper mache fruits. The man is wearing an elaborate Moroccan costume of rich silks and trim, including beaded turban. Inside one fruit is a paper mache monkey head with glass eyes and hinged jaw; inside the pear is a miniature bisque waltzing man and woman, and inside the apple is a little mouse.
Movements: The man turns his head side to side, while his eyelids blink and his mouth opens and closes, lending an overall impression of a street vendor calling out to sell his fruit. But the fruit has a surprise because each has a little treat hidden beneath, and they alternately open to show the surprises: a monkey Marquis who turns his head side to side and opens and closes his mouth; a waltzing couple who twirl around in a graceful manner; and a little mouse who chases his tail around and around in a circle. Music plays throughout.
Historical References: The performer or seller with suprises was a favorite motif of Vichy. The on-looker would be enjoying the action of the main character, but then the little surprise action would occur, adding bountiful elements of surprise to the scene. Added detail of ornamentation gave even further panache to the intricate and surprise-filled automaton. Circa 1875.