Antique Continental Musical Circus Automaton

Likely German or French, early 20th century, hand-painted gilt wood, with composition, paper, textiles, metal and paper, unsigned, presented as a five animal group comprising an elephant winding an organ box, a tiger and leopard on swing, and a lion balancing on a star studded ball, all staged within a theatrical caged stage display raised on turned wood feet, winding the obverse crank handle moves the animals and plays music (likely Swiss cylinder).

15 x 15 1/2 x 10 3/4 in.

From a Prominent Collector, Aiken, South Carolina

Areas of paint loss, dust soiling, and some surface abrasions; upper right side raised and detached from poles; music and automaton working intermittently, elephant not moving, needs servicing.