French Automaton "The Juggling Chinese Acrobat" Attributed to Vichy

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15" (38 cm.) x 13" frame. A gilt-framed tableau contains a mechanical presentation of a bisque-headed Chinese acrobat in blue and cream silk costume performing a balancing act. The clown, with sculpted angled eyes and lashes, sculpted and painted moustache, glass eyes, metal hands, is lying on his back with arms and legs upheld. When wound, two tunes play and the acrobat performs a series of complicated movements: turns his head, waves arms up and down as though bouncing the colorful ball (which actually moves up and down from a slit in the curtain) and bounces a second ball on his feet. Condition: generally excellent, crack in one side mirror. Marks: (original paper label, 2 tunes). Comments: attributed to Vichy, circa 1875. Value Points: rare mechanical tableau with intricate and amusing movements, beautifully preserved.