Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates" Circa 1920
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Description
Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop the hand painted black support frame over the bottom rung of the green ladder); the two clowns in frame are placed in the top slots provided at the side of the ladder; let go and the clowns will flip over a few times until they reach the bottom. The toy is completely original and in excellent original hand painted colors of orange and yellow clowns, with a hand painted green ladder. The clowns are tin, mounted in a wire frame, with a metal ladder.
The original box is lithographed with the clowns performing and markings "Les Acrobates" "Made in France" "P.F. No. 450", "IMP. G. Doloy. Paris".
Dimensions: 19" high (with acrobats in place) x 4" wide (acrobat frame) x 15 1/2" deep
I have never seen this toy before, and the combination of being boxed, being rare, with a unique action, makes it especially desirable among collectors of vintage toys. I found it in an estate sale in Woodside, California.
Upon request I can provide a brief 30 second video of the "action". -
More Information
Documentation: Origin: France Period: 1920-1949 Condition: Near mint with original box Creation Date: Circa 1920 Number of Pieces: 2-3 Styles / Movements: Folk Art, Traditional Incollect Reference #: 257650 -
Dimensions
W. 4 in; H. 19 in; D. 15.5 in; W. 10.16 cm; H. 48.26 cm; D. 39.37 cm;
Message from Seller:
Clive Devenish Antiques has been specializing in antique mechanical banks, toys, decorative arts, and 18th and 19th century furniture for over 40 years. For more information, contact 510.414.4545 or email clivedevenishantiques@comcast.net.