Lot Essay
The tray would originally have been edged with cabbage leaves and finished with ribbon swags.
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Details
A rare 'Negro Fruit-Seller' musical automaton by Vichy,
the standing bare-footed figure with papier-machè painted head and hands, dressed in pleated white waistcoat, striped trousers, red footman's jacket with matching bow-tie, holding galleried tray with three pieces of fruit, the single-spring motor actuating head, eyes and opening the halved fruit to reveal an animated monkey's head in the apple, a single dancing doll in the pear and a revolving white mouse in the peach to a two-air musical movement, on tri-colour grained painted base, circa 1885 -25¼in. (64cm) high, (motor needing attention, linkages for fruit actions distressed)
the standing bare-footed figure with papier-machè painted head and hands, dressed in pleated white waistcoat, striped trousers, red footman's jacket with matching bow-tie, holding galleried tray with three pieces of fruit, the single-spring motor actuating head, eyes and opening the halved fruit to reveal an animated monkey's head in the apple, a single dancing doll in the pear and a revolving white mouse in the peach to a two-air musical movement, on tri-colour grained painted base, circa 1885 -25¼in. (64cm) high, (motor needing attention, linkages for fruit actions distressed)
Literature
Automata, The Golden Age - C. Bailey, P.100
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.