French Bisque Automaton 'Shepherdess and lamb'

Live Auction

24" (61 cm) H. Standing upon a velvet covered wooden base is a bisque-headed doll with flat-cut neck socket, blue glass paperweight inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes, arched feathered brows, accented eye corners and nostrils, closed mouth with outlined lips, pierced ears, brunette human hair over cork pate, bisque shoulderplate attached to carton torso and legs which are modelled with slightly bent knees, wire upper arms, bisque forearms. A metal rod protrudes from the doll's torso and supports a wicker basket in which is hidden a little baby lamb with painted face and fleecy hide; the basket appears to be held by the woman's right arm. When automaton is wound, music plays, the lady, costumed as 18th century shepherdess turns her head from side to side, then nods, alternately lifting flowers in her left hand toward the basket, while the basket lid lifts and the lambs pokes out and bleats "baa- aa". CONDITION: Reglue hidden on shoulderplate under costume, otherwise excellent. MARKS: 8. COMMENTS: Roullet et Decamps, the model appears in their catalog as "Bergere" (shepherdess), with head by Gaultier, circa 1888. VALUE POINTS: Rare and most appealing automaton with superb and intricate movements.