German Mechanical Toy "The Three Clown Musicians" by Zinner and Sohne

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11" (28 cm.) Standing upon a wooden platform with colorful lithographed paper cover are three clowns, each with paper mache head, painted white complexions and facial features with clown decorations, sculpted clown pointy hat, wooden block torso, wire upper limbs, paper mache lower arms and legs, each wearing original clown costume and holding a string instrument. When wound, the clowns amusingly appear to play the instruments while their bodies raise up and then lower in suggestion of passionate play; music is faintly heard. Condition: original finish throughout, costumes darkened, music needs adjustment. Comments: Zinner and Sohne, circa 1900. Value Points: especially wonderful laughing facial expressions enhance the amusing action. Private Collection of Marianne Cieslik.