Lot 1248* - A212 Decorative Arts - Thursday, 27. March 2025, 01.30 PM
EQUILIBRIST ON LADDER AUTOMATON
France, ca. 1900. Attributed to Gustave Vichy (1839–1904).
A tightrope walker dressed in a beige and red silk costume with sequins and glitter, balancing on a ladder. He has a painted papier-mâché head with glass eyes, a wig and a red turban. He balances on the white painted metal ladder with his painted wooden hands. Built-in wind-up mechanism in the base, music box with one melody. The winding mechanism causes the body to swing vertically upwards into a handstand and one arm is raised. The performance ends with a small bow. Wooden base covered with flower fabric (repainted). 1 winding key.
25 × 46 × 114 (excluding handstand) cm.
Provenance:
Signs of use and dirt. Fabrics with small losses and repairs, faded.
Cf. an almost identical model “A circus performer automaton” (Bonhams auction December 4, 2012, lot 580).
Cf. an almost identical model “A circus performer automaton” (Bonhams auction December 4, 2012, lot 580).
CHF 4 000 / 6 000 | (€ 4 120 / 6 190)
Sold for CHF 7 500 (including buyer's premium)