We are pleased to be offering this rare and original Simon & Halbig German bisque musical automaton, depicting a young lady at her dressing table. Circa 1900–1910. A fine example of turn-of-the-century German craftsmanship and automaton engineering.
***Video of this precious automaton is featured in the Video Tab above all listings.***
Description
Maker: Simon & Halbig (German)
Date: Circa 1900–1910
Composition: German bisque head, finely painted features; original period clothing; dressed automaton mechanism; dressing table with accessories
Bisque head has markings on back, see photographs.
Size: 19” tall x 14 1/2” long at longest point x 8 1/2” depth
Movement: When wound, the head lifts as the doll’s right hand brings a powder puff to her cheek and the left hand raises a mirror. The automaton includes a musical movement that plays while the motions occur. The piece is operational — see video at top.
Condition
Overall, nice condition for its age. Bisque head and painted features are intact with appropriate age-related wear consistent with a piece of this period. Clothing and dressing table show expected wear but remain attractive and original in appearance.
Mechanism is functioning at this time. With all pre-20th-century automata, the movement is delicate and benefits from careful handling and occasional professional maintenance.
Provenance and Notes
Comparable examples are noted in museum collections (for example, a similar piece recorded at The Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, NY), though this automaton is particularly fine and more delicate in appearance than many surviving examples.
A rare opportunity for collectors of German bisque dolls, mechanical dolls, or musical automata. This piece makes a distinguished addition to a collection or display of late-Victorian/Edwardian mechanical toys and automata.
We are pleased to be offering this rare and original Simon & Halbig German bisque musical automaton, depicting a young lady at her dressing table. Circa 1900–1910. A fine example of turn-of-the-century German craftsmanship and automaton engineering.
***Video of this precious automaton is featured in the Video Tab above all listings.***
Description
Maker: Simon & Halbig (German)
Date: Circa 1900–1910
Composition: German bisque head, finely painted features; original period clothing; dressed automaton mechanism; dressing table with accessories
Bisque head has markings on back, see photographs.
Size: 19” tall x 14 1/2” long at longest point x 8 1/2” depth
Movement: When wound, the head lifts as the doll’s right hand brings a powder puff to her cheek and the left hand raises a mirror. The automaton includes a musical movement that plays while the motions occur. The piece is operational — see video at top.
Condition
Overall, nice condition for its age. Bisque head and painted features are intact with appropriate age-related wear consistent with a piece of this period. Clothing and dressing table show expected wear but remain attractive and original in appearance.
Mechanism is functioning at this time. With all pre-20th-century automata, the movement is delicate and benefits from careful handling and occasional professional maintenance.
Provenance and Notes
Comparable examples are noted in museum collections (for example, a similar piece recorded at The Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, NY), though this automaton is particularly fine and more delicate in appearance than many surviving examples.
A rare opportunity for collectors of German bisque dolls, mechanical dolls, or musical automata. This piece makes a distinguished addition to a collection or display of late-Victorian/Edwardian mechanical toys and automata.
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