$6,750
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sold
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Description
23" (58 cm.) Standing upon a velvet-covered wooden platform is a bisque-headed man with highly characterized features, oval-shaped face with prominent chin and nose, brilliant blue paperweight eyes, nearly-closed mouth arranged in a haughty amused smile, fringed lashes, painted brows, original blonde mohair wig designed as 18th century periwig, cork pate, slender carton torso and legs, bisque forearms with curled fingers. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well, originally designed as smoker but no longer functioning in that manner. Marks: N (script, head) LB (key) (original music tune label on base indicates two songs). Comments: Leopold Lambert, with commissioned bisque head likely by Jumeau, circa 1890; when wound, music plays and he alternately lifts the lorgnette, tilts his head haughtily backward, then lifts his lace-edged handkerchief as he turns his head toward it. Value Points: extremely rare character model face, not known on any other automaton or doll, enhanced by fine silk Marquis costumes, enhance the music and motions.