$30,000
Sold
sold
Click image to enlarge
Description
21" (53 cm.) Seated on the tip of a paper mache crescent moon is Pierrot, with paper mache head of whitened complexion accented with jester symbols, brown glass eyes, open mouth, brunette mohair wig, slender paper mache body, wearing original Pierrot silk jacket with black tights, silk slippers, ruffled lace collar and felt feathered hat, holding a lute in his arms. The crescent moon, set upon blue clouds, has a large brown glass eye and a hinged jaw. When wound, two tunes play, Pierrot nods and turns his head while strumming the lute, and periodically saucily sticks out his tongue at the moon; the moon opens and closes his mouth as though responding. Condition: very good, some restoration to clouds and light craquelure at edge of the moon, mechanism and music function well. Marks: Vichy (metal tag on back). (paper tune label listing two tunes). Comments: Leopold Lambert, circa 1890. Value Points: one of the most beloved of 19th century automata, with amusing synchronic movements and classic Pierrot theme. Provenance: the Rollins family of New York and Connecticut; the automaton was gifted to Daniel Rollins during a business trip to Brazil in around 1890 in which he was accompanied by his wife, the writer Alice Wellington Rollins who wrote of the trip these wise words "I have no idle hours to spend in hunting up the bitter foe who simply ought to be my friend". The automaton remained in the Rollins family through generations, until this time, and included with the automaton are various letters and newspaper articles regarding the family story.