A Gustave Vichy Fin de Siècle smoking automaton

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more

Details

A Gustave Vichy Fin de Siècle smoking automaton
with large round moon face, moving eyes, arched brows and smiling mouth with pipe and painted teeth, leaning with one hand against a fluted collumn, the other hand holding a duck-handled cane, the going-barrel movement with bellows playing two airs and causing him to rock his head from side to side, roll his eyes and tap the cane, the smoke pulled through the pipe and emitted from the nose, in the original red satin tailcoat and black tights -- 25in. (64cm.) high, the motor stamped G. Vichy, Paris, with round Vichy key, Circa 1900

Literature

Christian Bailly (1987), Automata, The Golden Age, 1848 - 1914, pp. 68 & 264

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis This lot is subject to Collection and Storage charges

Lot Essay

One of the most surreal automata by Vichy, the 'Fin de Siècle' moon is also one of the rarest. The model appears in the Vichy catalogue, circa 1900, and was continued by JAF in electric and coin-operated form well into the 1920s. The image of a smiling full moon was Henry Vichy's trademark during his time running the firm in the early 1890s, and it is likely that the model originated from this era. Judging by the handful of surviving examples, it was evidently produced in small numbers and possibly only for advertising purposes.
The automaton is in original unrestored condition. The motor is running, although the figure's movements are inoperative. The eyes are probably replacements. The face and the remaining hand retain their original paintwork in good overall condition. Two fingers on the right hand and the back covering of the head and pillar are missing; the top hat shown in the picture is not included.

More from MECHANICAL MUSIC, AUTOMATA, DOLLS AND DOLLS' HOUSES

View All