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Lot 847 — Estate of the Late Dr. E. Voss
"The Dancer Who Outlived Her Winder"
Estimate: Withdrawn from sale — See below
Condition Report
Mechanism functional. Figure rotates when wound. Gears visible through lid appear to move independently of mechanism. Box exterior painted with arboreal motif and minor spectral figures. Key original, slightly rusted. Figure's eyes do not align with any light source yet reflect consistently in photographs.
1847 — Commissioned by an unnamed patron for a daughter who "loved to dance but hated to stop."
1851 — Returned to maker with complaint that "the music continues after the key is removed." Maker declined to repair. No maker's records survive.
1903 — Found in attic of demolished Vienna townhouse. Wound by appraiser. Appraiser retired immediately. Box stored unopened for 40 years.
1962 — Sold at auction to Dr. E. Voss. Only bidder. Paid triple estimate.
2024 — Estate sale. Box opened for cataloging. Figure standing. Key in lock. Winder turned. All staff report same melody, though no two can hum the same tune.
2026 — Current. Vault humidity increased 12%. Staff report melody audible through steel door. Figure observed in different position than catalog photograph. Auction house considering relocation to deeper facility. Bids still received weekly. All declined.
1851 — Returned to maker with complaint that "the music continues after the key is removed." Maker declined to repair. No maker's records survive.
1903 — Found in attic of demolished Vienna townhouse. Wound by appraiser. Appraiser retired immediately. Box stored unopened for 40 years.
1962 — Sold at auction to Dr. E. Voss. Only bidder. Paid triple estimate.
2024 — Estate sale. Box opened for cataloging. Figure standing. Key in lock. Winder turned. All staff report same melody, though no two can hum the same tune.
2026 — Current. Vault humidity increased 12%. Staff report melody audible through steel door. Figure observed in different position than catalog photograph. Auction house considering relocation to deeper facility. Bids still received weekly. All declined.
IMPORTANT: This lot has been withdrawn from sale at the request of the figure. The auction house does not typically honor such requests. In this case, we were persuaded. The box will remain in our vault. Staff report the melody has grown louder. We do not open the vault after 6 PM.
STATUS: WITHDRAWN — REASON: CLASSIFIED