An ebony-black complexioned man with exceptionally handsome portrait features, slender facial modeling, strong temple and cheek bones, brown glass paperweight eyes, closed mouth with sculpted space between the lips, coral shaded lips, black fleeced hair, carton torso and legs, metal hands, is posed standing upon a maroon velvet flat base. He wears a very elegant aristocratic costume of gold silk with brocade and embroidery details, silk buttons, lace jabot and cuffs, yellow leggings, silk shoes, wide-brimmed hat, and carries a wooden flute. The head, a portrait model by Jumeau, created exclusively for this automaton, has Jumeau mark at the back of head. Movements: he turns his head in a series of intricate circles, then nods forward and simultaneously brings his flute to his lips as though about to play. The Flute Player, as automaton, had long historic routes in France. In the early 19th century, the Paris clockmaker Stevenard had created 3 different one of a kind luxury automaton, among these was the Flute Player. The same automata, with white-complexioned man costumed as shepherd in the Watteau style, was illustrated in an early Roullet catalog, considered a luxury model. This example, with extraordinary portrait head, may have been an exclusive commission as no others are known to exist. By Jean Roullet, France, circa 1880. 26" (66 cm). Three movements. One tune. Exhibits: Bagatelle, Paris, 1993.