late 19th century, female harpist in traditional silk attire, bisque head with no readily apparent markings, wearing blonde mohair wig, carved wooden hands and legs, in the style of and possibly by the hand of Jean Marie Phalibois of Paris, France, on a fitted ogee black finished base and under domed glass, overall 25-1/2 x 18 x 8-1/2 in.; with winding key present
Provenance: By descent in family
Note: In 1863 directories Phailbois was listed as a “cartonier” (working with cardboard) in the Marais district, known for toy and doll manufacture. In 1871 he is known for having set up his own shop in that same district, 62 Rue Charlot, where he was making “Fantasies á Musiques," and in 1876 exhibited musical novelties, mechanical toys as well as medium size automata, some under glass domes. The automaton offered here is typical of the earlier pieces by Phalibois, and similar to the “Seamstress” automaton in the Guinness Collection, currently displayed in the Guinness Gallery and pictured in the exhibition catalog on page 116.
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good overall, minimal wear throughout, some fabric fraying or shattering at shoulder, minor paint losses at ground, minute chip at tip of one finger, curious finial decoration atop harp with multiple breaks, sound and motion functioning at time of inspection, interested parties are encouraged to call and schedule an in-person preview or request additional images or video
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