$19,000
Sold
sold
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Description
24" (61 cm). A velvet covered wooden platform
displays a bisque-headed lady seated on a
white pedestal stool, having large brown
glass paperweight inset eyes, painted lashes,
brushstroked and multi-feathered brows,
accented nostrils and eye corners, closed
mouth with center accent line, pierced ears,
blushed cheeks, brunette mohair wig over
cork pate, carton moule torso and legs, wire
upper arms and legs, bisque forearms with
separately sculpted fingers. When wound,
music plays and the lady moves her head in
nodding and revolving fashion, strums the
mandolin with both hands, and keeps time to
music with her crossed leg. Condition:
generally excellent. Marks: 8 (doll) LB (key)
(original paper label on base lists music).
Comments: Leopold Lambert, circa 1890, the
model is shown in ØGolden Age of Automataà
by Christian Bailly, page 190. Value Points: the
luxury quality of the musical automata with
exceptional and intricate movements is
emphasized by superb detailing of bisque
face and hands, extravagant and wonderfully
preserved original silk costume, quality of
miniature wooden mandolin, and luxury quality
of music box playing two airs, Faust (waltz)
and Stephanie (gavotte).