Sci & Tech/ Toys & Dolls
Description:
Gustave Vichy Automaton of a Moresque Harpist, with papier-mache head, brown glass eyes, articulated eyelids and slightly smiling mouth with teeth, a harp resting on her knee, one arm articulated at the wrist, the other at the elbow, seated on cushioned octagonal high stool with incised painted designs of stars, diamonds and flowers, the going-barrel movement playing two airs and causing the figure to turn and incline her head, blink and raise each arm while her hands move simultaneously across the harp with plucking motion, in polychrome brocaded bolero jacket over short metal-thread bodice, cream stain stomacher and net-covered skirt and turban, trimmed with brass coins, stars and blue glass beads, with matching earrings and crescent moon choker, ht. 29 in., with Vichy key and "acorn" stop / start, (good movement and tone).
Literature: Christian Bailly (1987),Automata, the Golden Age, 1848-1914, pp. 72 and 237.
Estimate $15,000-18,000