French Bisque Musical Automaton "Pastry Chef with Surprise" by Leopold Lambert with Rare 203 Art Character Face

20" (51 cm.) Standing upon a velvet covered base is a bisque-head boy with laughing expression, blue glass paperweight eyes, wide beaming smile on closed mouth, modeled teeth, brunette wig, carton torso and legs, and bisque hands, wearing a striped jacket, short pants, leggings, chef's apron and hat. Attached to his front torso is a baker's basket which contains two biscuits and a large brioche under which is hidden a paper mache kitten. When wound, he turns his head, nods and then lifts one hand as though to point out his treats to onlookers, while lifting the lid of the basket with his other hand, at which time, surprise! A little kitten jumps out. Meanwhile music plays. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: L.B. (key) 203 Depose Tete Jumeau 4 (doll). Comments: Leopold Lambert, 1895, with very rare art character model head from the 200 series commissioned from Jumeau by Lambert to enhance the activities of his automaton. These models were also used by Jumeau on a series of art character dolls, of which the following lot, #40, is an example. Value Points: delightful automaton with very rare art character model face, charming activity, with original embroidery, A La Renommee, on the basket linen indicating a Parisian confiserie for which this was likely created as a shop promotional model.