82. FRENCH AUTOMATON “LADY PREPARING FOR A BALL” BY PHALIBOIS. 30” (Including dome). A bisque head lady has blue glass eyes, painted lashes and brows, closed mouth, accented lips, elaborately-styled mohair wig in original ringlet curls with velvet ribbons; seated in her boudoir in front of her lavishly-fitted dressing table laden with various accessory items, surrounded by mirrors richly hung with silk-satin curtains and velvet panels. She has carton torso and wooden hands; she turns her head side-to-side; her right hand holds a powder puff which she raises to powder her face while the left hand holding a mirror moves up and down from the table; dressed in silk gown which is quite fragile; the entire arrangement is presented under a carton open-front dome with decorative wall papers; rests upon an ebony black base under an oval glass dome; two original labels on side. Commentary: By Jean-Marie Phalibois, Paris, circa 1880. Rare, luxury automaton, lovely face with original coiffure, well-functioning movements and beautiful tunes.