Le Gai Violiniste

Physical description

This is a mechanical figure of a man playing a violin. The body, which contains the clockwork mechanism, is covered in cloth with the key on the left side. The figure has a painted metal head and top hat and hands, metal strips for arms and legs, black painted lead feet. He holds a metal violin and bow and when wound up plays the instrument. There is no sound except for the click of the mechanism. It has its original box which has a picture of the violinist on the outside.

Place of Origin

Paris, France (probably, manufactured)

Date

ca. 1900 (manufactured)

Artist/maker

Fernand Martin (manufacturer)

Materials and Techniques

[Box] Card
[Clockwork musical toy] Metal and cloth, with internal clockwork mechanism

Marks and inscriptions

On the top of the hat within a circle is
FM
DEPOSE
The Fernand Martin trademark also appears
on the box lid.

Dimensions

[Box] Length: 20.9 cm, Width: 8.9 cm, Depth: 7.3 cm
[Clockwork musical toy] Height: 19.7 cm

Descriptive line

Clockwork figure, "Le Gai Violiniste", made in France by Fernand Martin about 1900

Categories

Children & Childhood; Dolls & Toys; Musical instruments

Production Type

Mass produced

Collection code

MoC