[AUTOMATON]. Chanteur by the Gaslight. Paris: Vichy, ca. 1890. Musical mechanical automaton of a black male figure, papier-mache head with glass eyes, painted features, fleeced hair, articulated mouth, later theatrical tuxedo costume consisting of a green and red waistcoat with tails, cummerbund, plaid trousers, satin shirt, and bowtie. Leather shoes, felted hat. Standing against a wooden lamppost on a circular base painted to resemble a brick road, the lower edge covered in velvet. When wound, the figure makes six movements: raises and lowers both arms, with the left arm holding a piece of sheet music, nods his head, blinks his eyes open and closed, opens and closes his lips, and the top of the lamp rotates. With key. Tested, functional. Third-party shipping required. 46 x 16 x 16".