Lot Number:
53
30" (76 cm.) Two vivacious papier-mache clowns are
posed upon a wooden stage with red velvet
draperies and five front steps,ready to begin
their performance. Each has oil-painted white
complexion and dramatic clown
decorations,piercingly-brilliant blue glass
eyes,articulated eyelids,white mohair clown wig
and silk costume embroidered with musical symbols.
One clown has a well-defined frowning expression
and the other a wide beaming smile with painted
teeth. Their musical "instruments" are whimsical
confections,one wrought of a saucepan and the
other carved of wood. When wound,they begin their
performance: turning their heads from
side-to-side,blinking their eyes,and side-stepping
in unison while strumming their instruments.
Suddenly,the sullen clown,in an apparent attack of
jealousy,attempts to kick the cheerful clown off
the stage. The cheerful clown is blissfully
indifferent,and just turns in the other direction
and kicks out of sequence. Music accompanies their
performance and a large Vichy-style motor drives
the movements from six cams. Condition: generally
excellent,music and movements function well.
Comments: Vichy,circa 1910 during Triboulet
era,the theme plays upon the popular French
legends of "Jean qui rire et Jean qui pleure"
(John who laughs,John who cries). Value Points:
fabulous automaton with very intricate and
synchronized movements of great theatricality.
Realized Price:
$75,000
Presale Estimate:
55,000/75,000