Smoking Boy Automaton by Leopold Lambert French

French. 1880s. Bisque head, hands and arms. A classic automaton from the golden age of automata (1860-1910) made by Leopold Lambert, one of the great master automata makers of the 19th century. Lambert apprenticed under Gustav Vichy, one of the greatest automata masters of the time. An automaton (pl. automata) is a mechanically moving figure. These figures were typically not made as toys, but rather, were made for society's well-to-do elite to decorate their homes and intrigue children - BUT THEY WERE NOT TO BE TOUCHED! The clothing for Lamberts automata were created with the assistance of his wife, Eugenie, a Parisian tailor. This piece is dressed as a male in a military style dress uniform with bicorne hat with dangling metal pieces, green velvet tailcoat, white silk shirt adorned with intricately designed lace collar, red tights with watch fob attached to the waistline and red buckle shoes. The bisque head is made by French dollmaker, Jumeau, known for creating superior quality, gold medal winning dolls (at the Vienna Exposition 1873) that were internationally sought after as luxury items and status symbols. Lambert used only the best quality items for his creations. The head shows a beautiful face with brown paperweight eyes, daintly feathered brows, open mouth and pierced ears (with cameo earrings) topped with a brown mohair wig. He is holding a bone cane in hs left hand. He blows smoke out of his mouth and his arms move up and down. Standing on a green velvet base with a brass key and stop/start button. An exquisite, intricate and rare piece. Bisque head is marked, "Depose Tete Jumeau Bte S.G.D.G. 2AV". Original paper song label pasted to underside. 22.5" x 5.25" x 6.25".
Condition Report: Hat and ribbons show soiling and wear. Material loss from knees and lower legs. Mechanically functioning.