Automaton Doll, Collectible Toy, Musical Porcelain Game, 19th Century

Antique Guitar-Playing Automaton – Biscuit Porcelain Head, Late 19th Century – Movement and Music Mechanism. Charming automaton depicting a young musician playing the guitar/lute, seated on a velvet-upholstered chair. Biscuit porcelain head with glass eyes, hair, period costume in blue silk, floral satin, and lace. Painted wooden instrument. Spring-driven mechanism housed in the base. The mechanism is operational: the music plays and the body moves (torso/arm and/or head movements). Controlled by a lever/stop on the side of the chair. The winding key is not included; easily replaced with a suitable antique square key. Circa 1880–1900, Franco-German work in the Vichy/Lambert/Roullet-Decamps tradition and German workshops. Antique label under the base mentions a waltz tune. Painted biscuit porcelain, glass eyes, silk and lace, mechanical music box, velvet-covered base. Good overall condition with some wear. The guitar neck has been reattached. One finger joint is missing from one hand. The lace is fragile in places, the fabric has small stains and pulls, the hair is sparse, and there are signs of wear on the base. Please examine the photos carefully, as they are an integral part of the description. This beautiful decorative automaton is ready to display and operate after reassembly with a compatible key. Sold as is. Antique automaton, automaton doll, guitar player, lute, bisque porcelain head, glass eyes, mohair, period costume, blue silk, antique lace, musical box, spring mechanism, waltz music, late 19th century, 1880-1900, Vichy, Lambert, Roullet Decamps, German school, Nuremberg, mechanical toy, display item, toy collection, antique toy, curiosity, fairground art, music box, musical figurine, musical doll, antique automaton, French automaton, German automaton, rare, authentic, period, no key, working, body movements, arm movement, antique bisque porcelain head, miniature instrument, antique guitar, miniature lute, velvet base, antique label, restored neck (reattached), missing finger, missing phalanx, signs of wear, patina, decoration, cabinet of curiosities, museum, collector, collectible gift, Belle Époque, Victorian, 1900s toy, antique mechanical toy, musical scene, theater mechanical, decorative object, antique object, vintage, collectible, music box automaton, mechanical toy, automata de Paris, German toys, Vichy style, Lambert style, Roullet Decamps style, rare for sale, ready to display, plays music, works mechanically, no key supplied, square key, clock key, winding key, collector's item, heritage, old doll, antique doll, mechanical doll, female automaton, musicians, living room, display case decor, family heirloom, authentic 19th century, original, not a reproduction, museum quality, print, romantic scene, retro decor, mechanical art collection.