Made by Jean or Henry Phalibois, Paris, France, c. 1890-1900 33 ½” x 15 ¾” x 19 1/8” The Murtogh D. Guinness Collection Morris Museum

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It’s all about illusion! This automaton performs a trick that results in its head disappearing—and then magically reappearing—on a table (complete with blinking eyes). Then, with a gentle wave of a feather fan, the head is back where it belongs! All is done to music, as this automaton contains a two-tune, cylinder musical movement.

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