French Hand-wind Mechanical Toy

Live Auction

9" (23 cm.) A polished maple-wood base with ormulu feet and engraved scene of castle in a rural setting,supports a bisque doll with large blue glass eyes,closed mouth,block torso,wire upper arms and legs,bisque lower arms and legs,arms modeled in curled position to hold sword. The doll is posed in front of a brass and metal knife sharpener,and holds a sword-like simple metal rod in his hands; when wound,music plays,he pumps the foot treadle and "sharpens" the sword blade. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: French,circa 1880,the simple toy appeared in early French catalogs of that era,although the maker in unknown. Value Points: enchanting and well-preserved early mechanical toy; the doll wearing original Marquis costume including tricorn hat,remnants of original paper label at back.