French Musical Automaton "Court Troubadour with Mandolin" by Vichy

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15" (38 cm.) Perched upon the edge of a paper mache ledge is a bisque-headed doll with brown glass inset eyes, painted lashes, accented nostrils, feathered brows, closed mouth, brunette mohair wig with curls over cork pate, carton torso, wire upper arms and legs, bisque forearms, original silk costume and cap and holding a wooden mandolin. Condition: generally excellent, right baby finger tip chipped, mechanism and music function well. Marks: F. 1 G. (head). When wound, music plays, he strums the mandolin and turns his head side to side. Marks: F. 1 G. Comments: Vichy, circa 1880. Value Points: charming petite troubadour, wearing original burgundy silk costume, has original tune label listing two melodies. Private Collection of Marisol Valverde.