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Details
A fine clown banjo player automaton by Vichy
with papier-mâché character head, smiling mouth, painted teeth, upturned nose, brown mohair wig and brown glass eyes with articulated lids, seated on the back of a white-painted chair, the four-cam going-barrel movement playing two airs and causing the figure to turn and nod his head, blink and strum the banjo while lifting and crossing his right leg, in original green and yellow satin tailcoat, breeches, top hat and shoes -- 22½in. (57cm.) high, (satin frayed on knees, eyelid movement sticking, otherwise good movement and tone), circa 1895.
with papier-mâché character head, smiling mouth, painted teeth, upturned nose, brown mohair wig and brown glass eyes with articulated lids, seated on the back of a white-painted chair, the four-cam going-barrel movement playing two airs and causing the figure to turn and nod his head, blink and strum the banjo while lifting and crossing his right leg, in original green and yellow satin tailcoat, breeches, top hat and shoes -- 22½in. (57cm.) high, (satin frayed on knees, eyelid movement sticking, otherwise good movement and tone), circa 1895.
Provenance
By family descent to the vendor. The automaton was known as the 'Scary Man' because he frightened the children, who put him away in a cupboard - which helped preserve the good original condition.
The family intends to split the proceeds of the sale between Christies Cancer Hospital (Manchester) and the East Cheshire Macmillan Cancer Relief Appeal.
See front cover.
The family intends to split the proceeds of the sale between Christies Cancer Hospital (Manchester) and the East Cheshire Macmillan Cancer Relief Appeal.
See front cover.
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