the figure standing on one leg holding a card in his right hand inscribed Vite Vite our je me meur, Week's Museum, on ebonised moulded square plinth base, 24 cm. high.
Footnotes
The inscription refers to the Weeks's Museum which as situated at numbers 3 & 4 Titchbourne Street, London and was established by Thomas Weeks in 1797. The museum was noted at the time for its fine and unusual collection of automaton including animated birds and spiders, specialist clocks, musical boxes and organs and other such mechanical curiosities. It is thought that visitors of the museum could purchase mementos of their visit including small 'toys', musical boxes and clocks, and figures at a shop located next to the museum and that these pieces are inscribed 'Weeks Museum'. Weeks's collection was auctioned after his death in 1834.
This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.
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Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000; and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
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