Unusual Vichy Automaton of a Gypsy

Description:

Unusual Vichy Automaton of a Gypsy, with papier-mache head, brown glass eyes, articulated jaw and eyelids, brown hair wig arranged in Spanish pigtail, left arm articulated at the elbow, right articulated at the wrist, the going-barrel movement in the body causing the figure to turn and nod his head, blink, moving mouth and both hands as though playing castanets to the accompaniment of a song, in pink satin suit with bolero jacket, sash and shoulder epaulets elaborately decorated with sequins, beads and metal-thread braid, ht. 30 1/2 in. (restored),with pierced Vichy key and stop / start, on later base containing single-air cylinder movement, total ht. 34 1/2 in., six movements.
Note: Although now playing the role of a matador, this automaton may have been intended as the companion to the breathing Gypsy lady (also by Vichy) sold in the Dina Vierny collection at Sotheby's, October 1996, lot 55. He may originally have been accompanied by castanets or tambourine.
Estimate $6,000-9,000

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