French Bisque Waltzing Lady by Jules Steiner for Aux Reves de L'Enfance Paris Shop

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15" (38 cm.) Pale bisque shoulderhead with rounded facial modeling, cobalt blue glass enamel inset eyes, dark eyeliner, painted lashes and brows, accented nostrils, open mouth with pale outlined lips, double row of tiny teeth, unpierced ears, blonde mohair wig on cork pate, shaped carton moule body with defined waist, cone-shaped skirt that encloses mechanism, bisque arms to above the elbows, separately sculpted fingers, wooden base with three hidden wheels. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: Aus Reves de L'Enfance (paper label on torso). Comments: Jules Steiner deposed the system for the mechanical "gliding" lady in 1867; this example is from the earliest period of that production; when key wound at base the lady glides forward, turns, advances, while arms move up and down. Value Points: wonderfully-preserved early deposed luxury toy with original boutique label for "Aux Reves des Enfance", the luxury Paris doll shop located at Rue Richelieu from 1864 to about 1880.