Antique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy

A fine antique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy,
 
French
 
circa 1900
 
Vichy catalogue number 602
 
Mr Music, please, will you play...
 
When wound and the start/stop pull actuated, the accordionist begins performing the first of two melodies, moving his head from one side to the other, tapping his foot to the time, whilst pulling and pushing repeatedly the side of the instrument to pump the bellows, finishing with a nod of the head before starting over again.
The two air cylinder movement playing a popular waltz and a passage from La Traviata.  The seated black player with fine painted papier-mâché head, hands, legs and feet, and black wig under silk cap. Dressed in the southern style with buttercup yellow shirt, patterned brown waistcoat and green lined petit-cheque cream jacket, duet-tone green trousers with ruffled hems.
Perched on the gilt framed stool which contains the movement, dressed with red velvet panels framed with gold bead pleats.
 
Size - 23" Tall  ( 58cm )
 
Point of Interest -
 
Vichy's catalogue entry for 602 shows the slight variations available, with either black girl or boy, modelled around the same head, stool and body.  The dressage made and finished completed the sex chosen by the original purchaser of the automaton.
 
The standard 24-key reed accordion was the instrument of choice for street entertainers, mainly for the reasons that being cheap if bought second or third hand, plus they were easy to play if the musician could not read music and relied on playing music by ear or was blind.  The bellows on this tiny yet beautiful miniature expand and contract delightfully, even shaping to the familiar S form when the end plate is not in line in the fully expanded position.  Such detail, comforting action and sweet written-scored music - the magic bell of the Vichy workshops strikes again.
STOCK No1491
AVAILABILITYSold
PRICESold
Contact us about this item
Email this to a friend
Antique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy
Click here for 360° view
Antique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave VichyAntique black accordion player musical automaton, by Gustave Vichy
 
Other Items Which May Interest You
 
 
Antique Silver-gilt and mottled green agate mounted musical harpSilver-gilt and pictorial enamel Memento Mori singing bird box, by Karl GriesbaumA highly desirable and fine antique gilt metal and silver-gilt Palais Royale musical necessaireAntique Tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl inlaid singing bird boxVintage Art-Nouveau silver gilt, cloisonné enamel and garnet-set singing bird boxAntique Tortoiseshell singing bird box, by Bontems,Antique coin-operated large double singing birds-in-cage, by BontemsAntique Walking bear automaton by Roullet DescampsAntique Gilt metal and enamel singing bird box, by John Manger
 
 
75 Portobello Road London W11 2QB 0207 221 1121 07967 385258
Sign up to our mailing list
Contact usAbout usBuying from usHow do Singing Birds work LAPADA Member CINOA Member