Lot 840 Dα

A musical automaton formed as a clown taming a bear

Wind-up mechanism, firmly mounted original key and locking button. Painted wooden and papier mache head with glass eyes, metal tongue, porcelain hands, embroidered textile, fur and stuffing. The clown's arms and the bear's head move to the music. The key monogrammed LB. Labelled "LB La Rosière Modèle déposé" to the front of the socle. Label of the merchant "Au nain bleu E. Chauvière, Boul. des Capucines 27 Paris" to the underside. Soiled, the bear fur damaged, localised damage to the facial polychromy, wear to the velvet. H 54.5 cm.
Léopold Lambert, Paris, late 19th / early 20th C.