Musical Automaton
ca. 1870 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This monkey automaton was made to amuse adults, although children would probably have been allowed to watch it. Although automata were made to very high standards in Germany and Austria the most gifted makers of mechanical toys like this one were mainly found in France, flourishing in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were made as toys for very wealthy people in Europe and America. This one plays tunes from Rigoletto and Carmen when it is activated.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, glass and other materials |
| Brief description | Monkey musician automaton probably made in France about 1870 |
| Physical description | This is a figure of a monkey dressed in 18th century costume playing a mandolin. The figure stands in a small grotto of simulated rocks, ferns and flowers mounted on a circular black wooden base and covered by a glass dome. A musical mechanism has been fitted to replace the original one, now missing. When the two tunes, from Rigoletto and Carmen, are played, the monkey plucks the strings of the mandolin, turns his head from side to side and while opening and shutting his mouth. He also rolls his eyes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by J. S. Dawson |
| Summary | This monkey automaton was made to amuse adults, although children would probably have been allowed to watch it. Although automata were made to very high standards in Germany and Austria the most gifted makers of mechanical toys like this one were mainly found in France, flourishing in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were made as toys for very wealthy people in Europe and America. This one plays tunes from Rigoletto and Carmen when it is activated. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.5-1961 |
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| Record created | December 23, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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