Not currently on display at the V&A

Clockwork Toy

1865-1875 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Children would no doubt have been fascinated by this toy especially as it involves a colourfully-dressed dancing couple. It was made as a toy or conversation piece for wealthy 19th century men and women. The makers of automata in 19th-century France and Germany liked to use quite eccentric topics as subjects for automata, such as smoking monkeys, but they also liked to show their skills as craftsmen by making complex pieces such as these.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wood, cloth and metal
Brief description
Clockwork musical dancers probably made in Germany about 1870
Physical description
The box is of polished wood with a glass panel at the front surrounded by a carved, gilded frame.At the top of the box is a metal handle. The back of the box is a panel made of rough wood which slides out when pulled. On one side is the iron key for the brass clockwork mechanism together with the control switch.The mechanism operates both the dancers and the musical box. The music is produced by a cylinder covered with small spikes which connect with a comb like set of metal teeth. From the top set of cogs on the mechanism is attached a shaft, the bottom of which is attached to a bar. The bar runs beneath the dancers which are each mounted on a metal rod. These rods extend down to meet the bar which see-saws, alternately hitting the bases of the rods.The mirrored walls shown in the scene are backed with cardboard and the top is cardboard.
The scene is a three sided mirrored ballroom with a red cloth curtain, each side trimmed with gold metallic paper. Across the front top is a band of similar cloth. The floor is of printed paper over wood, showing birds, trees,, flowers and fruit. Each of the mirrors is trimmed with gold metallic paper and along the top with a band of blue paper printed with gold stars. A lead chandelier is suspended from the top. There are also two additional battery operated spotlights (later additions).
The dancers are two bisque blonde haired German dolls, one dressed as a woman, the other as a man.The woman is in a purple jacket trimmed with gold, a cream skirt covered with black lace, and black lace attached to the top ofthe head. The man is in a purple jacket with green and gold trim, green breeches and a green cap which extends to a long point at the back, decorated with gold trim and a gold and purple tassel
Dimensions
  • Height: 40cm
  • Width: 34.9cm
  • Depth: 15.9cm
Credit line
Given by Mrs J. Daniel
Object history
The object was given in memory of Brigadier General Hon. A.M.Henley by his daughters who would like his name to be included in labels.
Summary
Children would no doubt have been fascinated by this toy especially as it involves a colourfully-dressed dancing couple. It was made as a toy or conversation piece for wealthy 19th century men and women. The makers of automata in 19th-century France and Germany liked to use quite eccentric topics as subjects for automata, such as smoking monkeys, but they also liked to show their skills as craftsmen by making complex pieces such as these.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.212-1980

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Record createdJanuary 26, 2004
Record URL
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