French Bisque Musical Gliding Lady with Mandolin by Vichy

17" (43 cm.) Bisque head with blue glass enamel inset eyes,painted feathered brows,lashes and eye liner,accented nostrils,closed mouth with outlined lips,pierced ears,brunette mohair wig,carton torso and legs,wire upper arms,metal hands. When wound,and lever released,the lady glides around and forward,while strumming the mandolin that she holds,and while music plays. Condition: generally excellent,music and mechanism function well. Comments: Vichy,circa 1865. Value Points: the early and elegant automaton is well-preserved,wearing her original silk costume with fanciful and colorful embellishments,superb original coiffure,and with charming music and motion; two tunes are listed on the paper label under the base including,appropriately,"Mandolinista".