Mechanical Japanese Clown with Cymbals turned wood reamer Kelly received his first commission

Kelly received his first commission

Forward and Aft

My guess is that this set of 15 old stereographic drawings were a class assignment: most of them are signed

Symbolizing creation

with traditional costumes representing all of the states of the Soviet Union at the time

Mechanical Japanese Clown with Cymbals turned wood reamer Kelly received his first commissionThis clown seems to be a pure embodiment of happiness, from its hand painted red cheeked smiling face to its polka dotted outfit, to its little wooden legs, one missing a foot. But best of all, squeeze his belly and his arms come forward, almost, but not quite, to clap those cymbals together! Definitely made in Japan (he bears a very close resemblance to a few Japanese hand puppets I've had in stock), I believe this clown dates to the 1940s or so.