Unusual Musical Manivelle Musicians and Acrobat Automaton, c. 19

Maker unknown. Three figures with bisque heads, glass eyes, wigs (not removed for inspection) and carved wood and composition lower-limbs, the musicians supporting a painted chair upon which balances an acrobatic clown, wearing polychrome felt and lace-trimmed velvet costumes, on wood base with hand-turned movement playing a single air as the musicians move their heads and hands and their colleague elevates his body into a handstand position, ht. 22 ½ in. (57 cm) excluding acrobat's hat, working condition, small chip on acrobat's upper lip, face and hands of one figure possibly repainted. An unusual and amusing piece. - Provenance: Collection of José Mario Armero.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)