Upon a circular base sculpted to simulate a brick street, with lamp pole in the background, is a handsome black-complexioned man, with paper mache head, brown glass eyes, painted teeth visible only when mouth hinges open, black fleeced hair. He is wearing a rich silk costume of plaid trousers, blue and red silk jacket and leather shoes, and holds sheet music in his left hand. Movements: he lifts and lowers his right hand with pointing finger as though conducting a group of singers; he lifts and lowers his left hand holding sheet music as though following the music; his head nods in time to the music, his eyes blink open and closed, and his bottom lip moves open and closed as though singing; the lamp behind him revolves throughout. Ann illustration of the automaton, named Negre Chanteur, appeared in the 1900 book, Les Jouets, by Leo Claretie. Only one other is known to exist. By Gustav Vichy, circa 1895. 47" overall (120 cm). Six movements. Two tunes.