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Lot Essay
Vichy catalogue No. 517
Details
A fine Vichy Gymnaste automaton
with painted papier-maché head, dark wool wig, yellow satin shirt and breeches decorated with glass beads and metal sequins, silk gauze cuffs, yellow stockings, white shoes with sequin buckles, carved and painted hands each holding a white chair, standing on red velvet covered box base containing the musical movement and key-wind motor which when operated raises the left hand chair upwards in one paused step, then the clown gymnast raises his legs behind and once again lifts the left chair clear from the ground, before returning to the start position, accompanied by one operatic air --35½in. (90cm) high, 20½in. (52cm) wide base, (face repainted, chairs with restoration)
with painted papier-maché head, dark wool wig, yellow satin shirt and breeches decorated with glass beads and metal sequins, silk gauze cuffs, yellow stockings, white shoes with sequin buckles, carved and painted hands each holding a white chair, standing on red velvet covered box base containing the musical movement and key-wind motor which when operated raises the left hand chair upwards in one paused step, then the clown gymnast raises his legs behind and once again lifts the left chair clear from the ground, before returning to the start position, accompanied by one operatic air --35½in. (90cm) high, 20½in. (52cm) wide base, (face repainted, chairs with restoration)
Literature
See Automata, The Golden Age, page 268
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.