The automaton is mounted on rectangular wooden base originally covered in colored paper. Arranged in a row on the base top surface, which is covered in paper depicting a cobblestone street, are the figures of three young itinerant musicians and one dancer. When the mechanism is wound, the figures come to life: the drummer strikes the drum with a clapper and lowers the cymbal in her left hand onto a cymbal fixed to the drum, while her body sways in time with her arm movements; the violinist moves her bow across the violin strings; the conductor simultaneously raises and lowers both hands; and the figure of the dancer rotates on one leg. The actions are accompanied by the sounds of the musical movement.

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