Antique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. Phalibois

An antique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. Phalibois,
 
French
 
circa 1900
 
Exhibit No. 54 from the Tunney Collection
 
The Monkey Adagio for violin in F#...
 
When wound and the start/stop pull actuated, the seated monkey begins at once to play his violin, with very realistic bow arm control to play all four strings, whilst the head turns to the side before lowering to examine the sheet music, opening his mouth and blinking in time.
The movement consisting of a going-barrel motor with universal linkage to the six cam-stack, each of turned wood with central metal running shapes, main train linkage to the cylinder musical movement playing The Pretty Puppets.
 
The seated papier-mâché and painted carved wood monkey is dressed in traditional 18th century performer's outfi. This consists of a silk weave hat with gilt star and feather, white platted wig, a waistcoat in cream, green with a red tie, a mauve velvet three-quarter length smoking jacket with green velvet and lace cuffs, dark green trousers with more lace, white stockings and red and gold-strung shoes.
He sits upon the red velvet covered box, a smaller box nearby for his tri-corn hat and the violin case on the natural finished floor with the sheet music stand in front of him. All under a shaped corner squared glass dome, on an ebonised base with slight gilt dome beadings, lovely pierced grip key and start/stop rod to the right-hand side.
 
size - 14in. wide, 11in. deep, 23in. high - (35.5 x 28 x 58.5cm)
 
Point of Interest -
 
Monkey automatons are a speciality at Douglas Fisher.
Phalibois produced a wide-reaching series of them, mostly dressed in the traditional 18th century taste, mimicking everyday life and performing activities to comic visual effect.
 
What makes Phalibois really stand out from the other surviving examples is the pure skill of realistic body action.  Playing a violin is quite tricky, but replicating the bow arm movements is quite a feat, considering the action rods have got to make it through the monkey's shoulder, in addition to the tight bend at the elbow.
Perfectly supported by the props in view, he is totally complete and dressed in full correct attire.  An exceptional survivor and purveyor of performance.
STOCK No1498
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Antique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. Phalibois
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Antique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. PhaliboisAntique monkey violinist musical automaton, most probably by J. Phalibois
 
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