#77

Extremely Rare Grand French Carton Mechanical Walking Lady with Glass Eyes
6 Watching
Live Auction

Onsite
$9,000
sold
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Estimate
$6,000 / $8,000
Description
28" (71 cm.) Carton moule head with flat-cut neck socket allowing the head to pivot side-to-side, large blue glass enamel inset eyes in half-moon shape with pronounced eyelids, dark eyeliner, painted brows, nostril accents, closed mouth with center accent line, original black silk skull-cap with remnants of original wig, carton moule torso with shapely bosom and tiny waist, muslin arms, carved elongated fingers, hinge-jointed long slender wooden legs. The torso is attached to a wooden slat which, in turn, attaches to a hidden mechanism, which when wound, causes the legs to move back and forth and the head to turn from side to side. Condition: very good overall, mechanism functions albeit a tad noisy. French, late 1700/early 1800s. Value Points: extremely rare early doll with brilliant eyes, intriguing mechanism has grand and regal presence.