All original Leopold Lambert automaton portraying clown dancing and playing the tambourine. The 14 1/2" ( 37cm ) figure stands on top of the 4 1/2" ( 11.5cm ) velvet covered music box. When wound by the original "LB" key and the release is pulled, the clown moves his torso up and down in short jerky movements, raises and lowers tambourine in right hand as well as flicking it forward and backward, and raises left hand holding pouch as the music plays. The open mouth decorated bisque head is incised simply "3" and is originally dressed although obviously some of the silk is distressed. The original blond mohair wig is painted red on one half and the face is strong music; only one bisque pinky finger has the tip broken and reglued. Otherwise the quality and formation of the large bisque French hands is excellent. US$ 4,250.

14 1/2" ( 37cm ) French wind up mechanical doll, circa WWI- early 1920's, by Roullet and Decamps, sometimes known to collectors as " Fifi O'Toole ". Drawing somewhat from the French street urchin cartoon characters " Rin Tin Tin " and " Nenette " by artist " Poulbot ", there is also a male counterpart to the " Fifi O'Toole " mechanical. This example has a composition head with glass inset eyes, human hair wig and dressed in a shocking pink and lace dress with matching mop cap and carrying a red headed baby. When wound the doll moves from side to side and moves her head in an alternating motion. The colors are as bright as we have ever seen and the entire piece is in close to mint condition. ( Often when found, the baby is missing. ) US$ 2,250.