A very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy

 

A very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy,
 
French
 
circa 1890
 
Our Vichy musical spectacular
 
When wound and the start/stop pull actuated, the banjo player moving head from side-to-side before raising and lowering head whilst opening and closing his eyelids, merrily strumming the strings of the banjo with his right hand and keeping time by sweeping his right foot backwards and forwards, sitting on high stool, all accompanied by two musical airs.
The boy musician with very finely painted papier-mâché head with open mouth showing teeth, glass eyes, black wig and eye brows, painted arms, hands legs and feet also of papier-mâché and very exceptional details to fingernails and toenails, dressed in the country style with cap, mustard shirt, red dot scarf and short pale red trousers, perched at the edge of his high stool containing the movement with stained circular supports and stretchers, lovely green velvet covered sides and inserts, banjo of carved oak and with fruitwood bridge, skin soundboard, key and start/stop to rear.
 
size - 25in. high, 10in. deep (max), 6in. wide (stool), (63.5 x 25.5 x 15.2cm)
 
Point of interest -
 
Three things always sum up Vichy when one is lucky enough to locate one of his objects - rare, lifelike and usually within the collection of an automata connoisseur.
This outstanding piece captures perfectly the magic of Vichy and what his workshops were capable of.  The realistic look on the face, the complex actions clean and soft, the proportions modelled from life not fantasy. 
Originality is everything when it comes to high-end automata and here, the key and start/stop are Vichy and in place, the paintwork untouched, the movement operating all aspects wonderfully.  
 
Vichy made two versions of this automaton - the other with the boy perched on a side chair whose back-rail height was the same as the seat of this stool (see Automata - The Golden Age, by Christian Bailly, 1987, p. 104.)  This stool version is considered to be the better version, as no movement rods whatsoever are seen between movement and output. 
It is very nice indeed to see that the green velvet panels have stayed put from day one, adding that little piece of time through admired wear over the years.      
 
This is really one piece that should be enjoyed by the many...
STOCK No1467
AVAILABILITYSold
PRICESold
Contact us about this item
Email this to a friend
A very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy
Click here for 360° view
A very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyA very rare and fine antique black boy banjo player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy
 
Other Items Which May Interest You
 
 
Antique Composition tortoiseshell and gilt metal singing bird boxDancing Bear AutomatonAntique coin-operated large double singing birds-in-cage, by BontemsAntique Pictorial enamel and underbelly-cut tortoiseshell singing bird boxAntique gilt metal and pictorial enamel singing bird box, by BontemsBrass singing bird box, by Karl GriesbaumSterling silver gilt, pictorial and enamel singing bird box with timepiece, movement by C. H. MargueratSilver-gilt and pictorial enamel Memento Mori singing bird box, by Karl GriesbaumA highly desirable and fine antique gilt metal and silver-gilt Palais Royale musical necessaire
 
 
75 Portobello Road London W11 2QB 0207 221 1121 07967 385258
Sign up to our mailing list
Contact usAbout usBuying from usHow do Singing Birds work LAPADA Member CINOA Member