Toys Under the Christmas Tree - Day 18

This Erzgebirge Chinese acrobat toy, called Treppenpurzler by German collectors, is a hard to find piece to find, and  was made in several variations in the mid 19th century, but always with Chinese acrobats.  Mercury inside the body allows the acrobat to flip head over heels from the top level to the bottom. It comes neatly packaged in its own paper-covered box which, when opened and set up, becomes the steps on which the acrobat performs.  The bright colors of the acrobat and the wooden stand on the top level make the toy very appealing. The acrobat's vest is of paper, the head of papier-mache, body of wood and clothing of silk.  It must have been a very expensive toy in its day and still commands very high prices.