Renou Acrobat Clown Automaton on Two Chairs. Paris: Louis Renou, ca. 1910. A clown, his hands resting between two wooden chairs, slowly raises his body up, balancing on his hands, until the figure is entirely upside down, balanced precariously between the chairs. At each stage of his ascent, the figure pauses ? somewhat dramatically ? in anticipation of the next step in the balancing act. As the acrobat performs, an internal music box plays. The figure features a hand-painted head, glass eyes, mohair wig, wire arms, original silk costume with sequin-studded trim. On the original wooden velvet-covered base designed for a black art-type effect, giving the appearance of a simple floorboard supported by two white wooden trestles. 15 x 8 ? x 18?. Sold with a custom glass vitrine for display. Video on request.