A highly characterized figure with cheerful laughing expression has a paper mache head, glass eyes, long pointy nose, rosy cheeks, teeth, very long tongue, red mohair wig with amusing topknot and side tufts, slender body, and very elongated fingers; a pastry is held in right hand. The figure is seated on the back of a chair, and the chair is arranged on a round base. The character wears plaid silk pants with double suspenders, green silk jacket over a short vest, and has a red umbrella resting at his side. There is a paper label at the front of the base. Movements: eyelids blink rapidly and alternately as though winking, right arm lifts to bring pastry to mouth; the very long tongue flits in and out rapidly as though licking the sugar on the pastry; left leg taps 3 times rapidly in succession causing the left hand resting to bounce, shoulders move up and down as though laughing. Eyes, tongue and tapping foot never stop moving on this highly characterized figure with bizarre hair and antic facial features. The figure seems torn between more eating, more flirting or simply breaking into a frisky dance. Although featured here in man's costume, it is possible the automaton was inspired by the Moulin Rouge performer Louise Weber, know as La Goulue (the glutton) whose exceptional dancing skills were only outpaced by her voracious appetite for food and drink, and his arrogant behavior. Henri Phalibois, France. Circa 1900. 40" (101 cm). Five movements. Two tunes. Exhibitions: Bagatelle, Paris, 1993.