Clown Magician Automaton. Switzerland: Michel Bertrand, ca. 1993. The magician stands behind his green velvet-draped table, a wand in one hand, and a large red cone in the other. As the mechanism operates, the cone is lifted and lowered by the clown, and as a concealed music box plays, the objects on the table change six times. The clown also nods his head, opens his mouth, and blinks his eyes. On a fabric-draped wooden base concealing an eight cam clockwork mechanism. Key wound. Composition head and eyes, with finely finished costume in yellow, red, and black fabrics framing a white shirt. Height 38?. Inspired by a Vichy design. Very good. Built to the order of Jerry and Bunny Steinbaum, and inspired by the Vichy/Triboulet automaton titled ?Clown aux boules Mysterieuses? Michel Bertrand is acknowledged as the successor to the famous firms of Vichy/Triboulet/JAF, and incorporated many original Vichy parts in his automata.