Antique French Mechanical Toy with Bisque Lady by Vichy

Antique French Mechanical Toy with Bisque Lady by Vichy

The mechanical toys of the mid to late 1800's were often endowed with French bisque heads by dollmakers such as FG, Jumeau, RD and others. This particular automated toy by Gustav Vichy of France was a special made example of a lady riding a three wheel cart holding a balloon on a metal "string" attached to her metal hands. What is so unusual about this head (believed to have been made by FG) is that it has molded hair and an open pate. The blue glass paperweight eyes, perfectly formed closed mouth and feathered and arched brows are typical of the F. Gaultier firm. The lady is dressed originally in pink silk satin which has some fading and a bit of shredding on her ecru colored blouse. One matching pink silk satin shoe has a bit of toe damage but not to the point of distraction. She is on a green metal cart with green wheels identifiable as a color frequently used by Vichy in his key wind toys. When wound, the cart scoots across the table as her hand with the balloon moves slightly up and down, her head turns from side to side and her balloon bounces on the spiral spring wire. The entire piece is approximately 10 inches in height.

Item ID: H-0092

$2,850 $2,650 USD REDUCED

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