Fine Quality Antique French Toy “Dancing Couple”, circa 1880, Rare

This outstanding toy consists of two figures, a young man resembling Napoleon Bonaparte, and a young lady, dressed in period clothes with bisque (porcelain) faces and heads and wooden legs. The base is some type of metal composite consisting of a cast lead alloy. The polychromed hand painted blue and red metal dance floor is also a lead alloy. The wire stands supporting the figures is of ferrous metal.

The bisque faces are very lifelike with flesh tones and blue eyes, rosy cheeks to the lady with bisque auburn hair. He is dressed in original period Napoleon type military clothes with sword in hand and a two cornered hat with original brass bells hanging on the ends. Crocheted cream colored trim decorates the muted blue uniform. She is wearing a highly decorated muted red dress with fancy crocheted trim, especially to her collar, and a piece of red jewelry in the shape of a religious cross completes her decoration. Based on the style of the toy and clothing, in conjunction with French manufacture, the “Dancing Couple” is, circa 1880.

To operate:
Handle with care and use ever so gently as you would a museum item, as this toy meets all of the criteria to warrant that designation.
There is a string that self wraps around the vertical axle upon gently pulling on it. After gently pulling on the string and releasing, the two dancers simulate dancing while they move their feet back and forth as the dance floor revolves in a circular manner. I would not “play” with the toy, but it’s always nice to try it to see how it works or to demonstrate once in a while to excited collectors.

Dimensions: 11 1/2″ high x 5″ wide x 4″ deep

The clothing and condition of the toy is in an excellent state of preservation and is completely original; a truly charming and exceptionally rare and unusual toy.
This toy is one of the more special toys I’ve owned and from my own personal collection of 40 years. It came from an upscale San Francisco estate a number of years ago.

Eleven images accompany this listing.

Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children’s playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace

it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys that I have listed for sale; it would create an immediate quality collection, as most of these toys came, either from a long time premium California collection or from my own shelves. It would take quite some time and effort to accumulate toys this clean, authentic, original, operable and in excellent condition.

See my other listings of vintage toys.