French Automaton "Mother and Child in Garden Scene" by Phalibois

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26" (66 cm.) h. 12" seated woman. Posed seated beneath a very full floral arbor is a bisque head lady holding her little bisque child. The lady, with refined portrait-like face, blue glass enamel eyes, closed mouth, painted lashes, brows and accented lips, has pierced ears, original blonde mohair wig, and original costume and the bisque head child with cobalt blue eyes, closed mouth, jointed arms and legs is wearing a superb original muslin gown with lace trim and aqua silk ribbons. When wound, the lady turns her head and nods toward the child who has been lifting her arms up and down eagerly, and then lifts her right arm which holds a baby bottle, as though to offer this to her child. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism functions well, music does not function. Comments: Phalibois, circa 1880. Value Points: rare luxurious parlor automaton depicting a gentle scene, the woman with rare and exquisite portrait-like face.