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Lot 172:
Description
A pair of vintage musical shadowbox dioramas featuring circus themes, designed by Koji Murai and manufactured by C.I. Modern, Japan. Each item is constructed with a wooden frame housing a three-dimensional paper-cut scene protected by glass, with a functional drawer at the base featuring a metal pull knob. The first box, titled Dancing Clown, depicts a white-face clown in a ruffled costume center stage, flanked by an elephant and a smaller clown figure; the lower drawer is decorated with a floral and blue ribbon motif. The second box, titled Clown, features a central clown juggling two balls, surrounded by a bear on a bicycle, a trapeze artist, a seal, and a dog; the drawer is finished with red, blue, and gold stripes. Both units are equipped with rear-mounted wind-up musical mechanisms. The pink box retains its original manufacturer sticker identifying it as model No. 902, playing the tune French Can Can. A circular label in German is present around one winding key, and the reverse of one box is printed with Musical Box.
Height: 19cm
Width: 13cm.
Condition report:
Both items exhibit signs of age and use. The Dancing Clown box shows significant wear to the exterior paper covering, including peeling and surface loss at the corners and edges. The Clown box shows moderate wear and scuffing to the pink papered frame edges. There is minor surface dust and staining to the black backboards. Both winding keys and drawer knobs are present. The musical mechanisms and drawer movements have not been tested for functional operation.
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