"Harpiste Ethiopienne" Musical Automaton by Gustave Vichy, c. 1880
With leather-covered papier-mâché head, defined facial structure, brown glass eyes with articulated lids, parted lips with two rows of carved bone teeth, black mohair wig, gutta-percha hands with articulated fingers, five-string harp with gilt capital, going-barrel movement contained in the body playing two airs as the lady turns and bows her head, blinks and lifts her hands, sometimes together, sometimes separately, her fingers playing lightly over the strings, dressed in elaborate gold and crimson satin costume trimmed with metallic sequined appliqués and lace, on velvet-covered base, ht. 31 in. (79 cm), excellent restored working condition. With acorn-form stop/start and steel key. – The automaton is described in an article titled "Les Automates" in the November 1891 issue of "La Nature": "… an Ethiopian woman who elegantly moves her fingers across a species of harp in time to the piece of music playing at the same time. The costume, very rich and elegant, pleases the eye and is complemented by various accessories (a vase, a column) placed near the figure". – The Ethiopian Harpist is the seldom-seen companion piece to Vichy's Ethiopian Flautist, Lot 571 in this auction. – Literature: Bailly, "Automata, the Golden Age", p. 236; Alber, "Les Automates", 7 November 1891, in "La Nature. Revue des Sciences 1891" (annual), p. 357.

Musik-Puppenautomat "Harpiste Ethiopienne" von Gustave Vichy, um 1880
Mit Leder überzogener Kopf aus Papiermaché, fein proportionierte Gesichtszüge, braune Glasaugen mit beweglichen Lidern, geöffnete Lippen mit 2 Reihen Zähnen aus Bein, schwarze Mohair-Perücke, Hände aus Guttapercha mit beweglichen Fingern, 5-saitige Harfe mit vergoldetem Kapitell, gekleidet in aufwendig gearbeitetem Gold- und Purpur-Satinkostüm, getrimmt mit metallischen Pailletten und Applikationen aus Spitze, auf mit Samt bezogenem Sockel. Korpus mit Federwerk, Mechanik und Walzenspielwerk mit 2 Melodien. – Die Dame dreht ihren Kopf, nickt, zwinkert mit den Augen, hebt ihre Hände, manchmal gleichzeitig und dann abwechselnd, und läßt die Finger sanft über die Saiten streichen. – Gesamthöhe 79 cm, mit Stahlschlüssel und eichelförmigem Starthebel. Exzellent restaurierter und funktionierender Zustand. – Eine elegante Dame von Vichy, das Gegenstück zu dem "Flutiste Ethiopien" in dieser Auktion (Lot 471). – Literatur: Bailly, "Automata, the Golden Age", S. 236; Alber, "Les Automates", 7. November 1891, in "La Nature. Revue des Sciences 1891", S. 357.

Start Price: EUR 9000





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by Auction Team Breker
May 21, 2016 10:00 AM CEST
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