自动音乐机"Der Perlenfischer" 1895年前后

With composition head modelled as a boy with rosy cheeks, upturned nose and smiling brown glass eyes, original hair wig and painted metal hands, poised on papier-mâché rock above a scallop shell with hinged lid attached to the end of the boy's fishing line, the going-barrel movement in the base, stamped "G. Vichy, Paris", driving two cams, three levers and a replacement 19th century two-air cylinder musical movement of the correct type, in part-original costume of peach satin tailcoat with silver lining, embroidered waistcoat, red velvet breeches, striped stockings and leather shoes, height 18 ½ in. (47 cm), with "acorn" stop/start, in working order, paint is original and well-preserved, minor retouch to tips of starfish. –  The fisherman moves both arms and nods his head as he attempts to reel in the enormous catch, but to his surprise the shell reveals not a pearl, but a starfish with the face of a Pierrot saucily sticking out its tongue. Accompanying the automaton is part of a Henry Vichy tune-sheet, with his initials and distinctive moon-faced trademark, discovered rolled up inside the costume. It reproduces the first verse of the French folk song "Au Claire de la Lune, Mon ami Pierrot" and also includes a reference to the Lioret phonographs which were fitted in certain Vichy automata during this period. This provides a fairly accurate production date of between 1895, when the Lioret system was introduced, and 1900, when Henry Vichy effectively left his father’s firm.

This automaton is also rare; we know of only one other example, in a private British collection.

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