$10,000
Sold
sold
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Description
22" (56 cm.) Seated on the top rung of a ladder-back chair is a black-complexioned paper mache boy with most handsome face and strong features, brown glass eyes with movable lids, hinged lower lip with row of teeth, black wiry hair, carton torso with one hinged hip, wire upper arms, paper mache hands, bare feet, wearing green silk satin jacket over gold shirt, silk striped short pants with peach silk sash and braided tie, straw hat with decorative cluster of berries, holding a wooden banjo in his arms. When wound, he turns his head in a nodding circular motion, opens and closes his mouth as though singing, blinks his eyes, strums the banjo and moves his right leg as though keeping time to the music. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Gustav Vichy, circa 1890, the model appeared in his original catalog as #599, indicated as deposed model. Value Points: rare automaton in perfectly-preserved condition with elaborate and realistic movements, beautiful music box, original costume, and most handsome features.