#68

Lady at the Spinning Wheel with French Clock
Live Auction

$23,000
sold
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Description

A fine porcelain-faced clock with bronze frame on heavy ebony base is surmounted by a garden like arrangement in which an elegant lady sits at her miniature ivory spinning wheel, a flax wheel at her side, a bevy of dainty leaves and garden foliage around her. The lady has paper mache head with delicately painted facial features, ornate coiffure, and wears lovely silk gown, coiffe, and tiny strands of pearls. A feathered bird on a beautiful miniature wooden perch sits at her side Movements: the lady moves arms independently in realistic spinning motion, her head turns from side to side and nods up and down in rhythm with her spinning, and the bird flits back and forth on its perch. The skills of the clockmaker, automaton maker, music box maker and miniaturist are combined in this exquisite piece. France, maker unknown, circa 1865. 27" (69 cm). Four movements. Six tunes.