Antique German Automaton FAO Schwarz Music Box-Dancing Couples

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Antique German Automaton FAO Schwarz Music Box-Dancing Couples:
$1225.00

*** Antique German Automaton FAO Schwarz Music Box-Dancing Couples ***

Fresh from a local attic comes this late nineteenth century/ early twentieth century German automaton music box featuring 3 dancing couples in a mirrored ballroom.

Measurements -- Approximately 11 1/2 inches wide by 9 inches deep by 9 3/8 inches high.

Condition ( Physical) --- For its age the overall appearance is very pleasing including the dolls’ clothing and the paper surfaces which cover the floor, sides and back. However, there are condition issues commensurate with age and use. There is a crack to the base of the right hand column, loss of 3 +- inches of gilt trim surrounding the mirrored panels and minor scattered losses throughout which can be seen in the photographs. Of the six dolls, three are missing one arm (one is barely noticeable due to the figure’s costume)and one has damage to the foot/shoe. Hair on several dolls has partial loss and matting.

Condition (Mechanical) – The three couples are mounted to a circular disc which rotates counter clockwise as the crank handle is turned. One couple spins/twirls through the disk’s entire revolution, a second couple spins sporadically twirls, and the third couple does not spin at all. The music box seems to play well while the handle is being cranked. I am unsure of the tune.

Despite these issues, most are not noticeable at a glance, and the piece displays beautifully. A Google search suggests that these German automaton music boxes are rare. This example bears the red label of New York City’s elite toy store, F. A. O Schwarz, 39 & 41 W 23rd St, New York.

Search words – F A O Schwartz – Automaton music box – German toy – Mechanical toy – diorama

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