$2,350
Early Tumbling Acrobats Automaton, Germany, circa 1850, the two female acrobats with papier-mache heads, molded hair decorated with floral garlands, and silk and painted costumes trimmed with gold Dresden paper, their arms connected by wire armatures to mercury-filled pasteboard tubes, in embossed paper-covered metamorphic box unfolding to form a flight of steps, with drawer beneath containing the original instruction sheet in German, French, English and Italian, and underside with retailer's label From John Galletti, Looking Glass & Picture-Frame Makers, Emporium of English and Foreign Manufactures, 24 Argyl Arcade, Glasgow. Established Half a Century , acrobat ht. 2 1/2 in., box wd. 7 in.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2005-11-03