"Little Tich" 音乐娃娃机，20世纪

With composition head and hands, mohair wig, articulated side-glancing blue glass eyes and large flat-soled leather-covered shoes, holding cane and bouquet of roses, on velvet-covered wood base designed to resemble a stage floor, the large going-barrel movement driving three cams, crank and three-air cylinder movement on a pulley, activated by moving the top hat, in green wool suit and embroidered waistcoat, ht. upright 35 ½ in. (91 cm). Little Tich taps his feet alternately, raises the flowers, turns and nods his head, glances to the left or right, then leans forwards on the toes of his extralong shoes. This piece is based on Roullet et Decamps’ automaton portrait of the English music hall artist Little Tich, the stage name for Harry Relph (1867 – 1928). Relph’s performances in 28-inch shoes, that were said to be half as long as he was tall, made him famous in London, New York and Paris. His Big Boot Dance was captured in an early sound film by Clémen-Maurice in 1900:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvq2WBOqHg&feature=related.

– A wonderful character, in good working order