"Harpiste Ethiopienne" Musical Automaton by Gustave Vichy, c. 18

With leather-covered papier-mâché head, defined facial structure, brown glass eyes with articulated lids, parted lips with two rows of carved bone teeth, black mohair wig, gutta-percha hands with articulated fingers, five-string harp with gilt capital, going-barrel movement contained in the body playing two airs as the lady turns and bows her head, blinks and lifts her hands, sometimes together, sometimes separately, her fingers playing lightly over the strings, dressed in elaborate gold and crimson satin costume trimmed with metallic sequined appliqués and lace, on velvet-covered base, ht. 31 in. (79 cm), excellent restored working condition. With acorn-form stop/start and steel key. – The automaton is described in an article titled "Les Automates" in the November 1891 issue of "La Nature": "… an Ethiopian woman who elegantly moves her fingers across a species of harp in time to the piece of music playing at the same time. The costume, very rich and elegant, pleases the eye and is complemented by various accessories (a vase, a column) placed near the figure". – The Ethiopian Harpist is the seldom-seen companion piece to Vichy's Ethiopian Flautist, Lot 571 in this auction. – Literature: Bailly, "Automata, the Golden Age", p. 236; Alber, "Les Automates", 7 November 1891, in "La Nature. Revue des Sciences 1891" (annual), p. 357.

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)