Gustave Vichy Automaton of a Sewing Lady

Description:

Gustave Vichy Automaton of a Sewing Lady, with papier-mache head, brown eyes with articulated eyelids, open mouth with teeth, pierced ears with earrings, and brown mohair wig, sitting with one ankle resting on the other on a turned and ebonized chair, the going-barrel movement in the body playing two airs and causing the figure to turn and incline her head, flutter her eyelids, her breasts to rise and fall in simulation of breathing, as she raises the embroidery in her right hand and sews intermittently with her left, in whitework summer dress edged in lace and crimson satin sash, ht. 23 in., with acorn stop/start and early wrought-iron "batwing" key.
Estimate $8,000-12,000

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