Early French Mechanical Toy "Fiddler on a Barrel"

14" (36 cm.) Standing upon a heavy card stock barrel with three spoked wheels is a paper mache man with very expressive painted features, paper curls under original hat, wrapped armature body, wooden lower limbs, (frail) original costume, painted shoes, holding a fiddle and bow. When wound, he appears to dance a jig, bouncing his head and tapping his foot. Condition: very good overall. Comments: French, early 1800s. Value Points: very rare early toy with delightful pose, face, and actions.