Antique French Leopold Lambert Jester/Clown Automaton Very Rare
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:362667 | Features: Antique |
This is a very rare and exquisite piece! Never have I seen another hit the market. Seated upon a wooden pedestal seat is a paper-mache headed clown or jester with glass inset eyes, white complexion with painted clown features, white fluffy mohair wig, carton torso, wire upper arms, bisque forearms, slender shaped legs bent at knees, one l...eg crossing the other, wearing silk and velvet jester costume, arranged on velvet covered wooden base with attached LB key and pull-lever. When wound, music (two tunes) plays and six movements occur: turning head side to side, nodding, then upper torso also bending, strumming of guitar, tongue moving in and out, and left leg moving up and down as though in time to the music. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism and music function well. Marks: LB (key). Comments: Leopold Lambert, the automaton appeared in the Lambert catalog as #43 "Clown a la Guitare", circa 1890. Wonderful original condition enhances the amusing actions, the facial decorations dramatic and rich, the guitar with hand-painted floral decorations. Check out my other listings for other rare automatons I have just listed!