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$26,000
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sold
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Description
28" (71 cm) overall. Standing upon a velvet base
with ogee-shaping is a bisque headed doll with
brown glass inset eyes, painted lashes and brows,
accented nostrils, closed mouth, pierced ears,
blonde mohair wig over cork pate, carton torso
and legs, wire upper arms, bisque forearms,
antique folklore style costume. In front of the
doll is arranged a gilt pedestal base table with
velvet cover. On the table are two golden domes
and a golden box. Beneath these are arranged a
paper mache monkey, a bisque doll, and a paper
mache clown. CONDITION: Generally excellent, the
small bisque doll has a tiny finger chip. MARKS:
12 (and artist checkmarks on large doll).
COMMENTS: Roullet et Decamps, the model appeared
as "Magicienne", #201 in their late 19th century
catalog. When wound and lever released, music
plays and the doll performs her magic act;
alternately tapping each dome or box, the lid
opens and the figure appears: the monkey turns
his head and opens and closes his mouth; the
bisque doll turns her head and brings her clasped
hands forward and backward; and the clown turns
his head and sticks out his tongue. VALUE POINTS:
A rare and amusing automata with intricate and
well-functioning movements and music.