This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
[CUPS AND BALLS] Aquarelle of a Cups and Balls Conjurer. French, ca. 1790. Finely executed full-length image of an itinerant mountebank behind his folding table with a crowd looking on. His trumpet rests on the edge of the working surface along with three cups, a large ball resting atop one of them; in one hand he holds a wand, and in the other a small figurine, in anticipation of a performance of the Bonus Genius effect. A gibeciere is tied about his waist. Manuscript caption below the image reads “Rien dans le mains! Rien dans les pochel!” (Nothing in the hands! Nothing in the pockets!) 9 ½ x 6 ¾”. Mounted to a stiff card. See MAGIC: 1400s – 1950s, p. 32.