$5,843
* Banjo Player Automaton by Gustav Vichy, Paris, France, c. 1900, the black musician with a striped band wheat straw skimmer hat atop of his head, black and burgundy striped silk ruffled shirt, black velvet waist vest with watch chains draped to his vest pockets, and holding a five-string banjo, when the clockwork movement is activated, music begins and the musician starts strumming the banjo, turns, cocks his head, blinks his glass eyes, and sticks out his tongue, all mounted to a center molded pedestal base with small brass plaque below reading in part G. Vichy Modele Depose/5 Articles Francais , ht. 19 in. Note: This automaton was passed down through the present owner's family, remaining in the family estate in Ossining, New York, until the 1960s. In the 1970s the restoration of this piece began under the guidance of Art Sanders, who owned the Lamplighter Shop and Musical Museum in Deansboro, New York. The Musical Museum, founded by Sanders, was known for its collection and expertise in musical instruments and automatons.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2017-04-28
