French. Pre 1870. Bisque head, hands. Alexander Theroude began his career as a toy wholesaler, then as a manufacturer of French toys and, after numerous bankruptcies, he began to make toys himself. He begain with smaller mechanical toys made for children and was the first to fix an animation device inside the body of a toy, sometimes referred to as the inception of the automaton. Theroude's work won many awards and he became known as the "father of professional automatists". Theroude stopped making automata in 1870, making this piece pre 1870. The "Lady of the Manor" is dressed in a grey silk dress adorned with lace and pearls. She holds a powder puff and mirror, with a mirror also affixed to the table. The head is bisque with blue paperweight eyes, closed mouth and pierced ears and topped with a brown mohair wig. She sits atop a wood base. Originally there would have been a glass dome for the base. Wires are present to hold the head and arms. An exquisite and rare piece of automata. 11.75" x 8" x 14.75".

Good condition. May require re-wiring to better secure head.