$9,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
13" (33 cm.) Seated on a wooden piano stool in front of an ebony and rosewood upright piano with carved bone keyboard, gilt ormolu three-arm candle holders and music rack, and an ormolu basket of flowers, is a bisque head lady with blue glass inset eyes, painted lashes and brows, closed mouth, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig with elaborate coiffure, carton torso, metal hands, lovely silk gown. When wound, music plays and the lady turns her head side to side, and moves her fingers up and down the keyboard. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Gustav Vichy, circa 1878, the luxury automaton was presented at prestige Parisian boutiques. This example was originally sold from the luxury toy store of Aux Enfants Sage whose brass label from Guiton era appears on the piano back. Value Points: the elegant automaton performs in a gracious and refined manner; the fine cabinetry of the piano and the quality porcelain of the doll is enhanced by strong and well-rendered music.