Automaton
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood and metal, silk, cotton, velvet, wool and leather
Measurements
340mm (width), 920mm (height)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 657824
Summary
A large automaton of a lady with a parasol standing on a rectangular wooden base. It has possibly been converted from a religious figure. The base appears to have been painted. There are eight wheels, four wooden ones, one at each corner, placed horizontally and four metal wheels set vertically into slots, two on each of the long sides of the base. The head of the automaton is detached. It is made of carved wood which has been painted. The outer layer of white paint is cracked and flaking showing an underlayer of different shades of pink. Her eyebrows are painted black, her eyes are painted blue-black with painted eyelashes and her lips are painted pink. The hair is painted black with a reddish blonde wig. She is wearing a purple velvet turban style hat with a small brim. The velvet is worn and dirty and it would appear that a band is missing. The hat is decorated with a large faded pinky-cream flower, some small false flowers, a braid trim spray and a beaded black leaf patterned net. Two large metal spikes are sticking out of the hat. The hat is nailed to the head. The figure wears a metal hoop earring in her left ear. There is a staple for an earring in her right ear. There are five nails in her neck. The neck is hollow and visible in the head is pink fabric packing. On the base of the neck are two drilled holes, a flat headed screw and a round headed screw with a coiled wire spring attached to it. It is possible that the lower jaw originally moved and has been screwed and painted shut. The arms and hands are made of wood, the hands have been painted. The legs are possibly made of wood. The figure wears dirty cream or flesh coloured ribbed stockings and black leather buttoned boots. There is a decorative fabric rosette on the right boot and several of the boot buttons are missing. The body appears to be made of wood. It is dressed in a knee-length dark pink silk brocade skirt and bodice. There are bands of black velvet decorated with faded gold coloured braid at the neck, cuffs, waist and hem. The neck, cuffs and hem are also trimmed with a cream beige lace edging. At the shoulders are insets of orange brown plush fabric trimmed with dirty braid. The top of the sleeves are packed with woodshavings. She is wearing a dirty white cotton petticoat with lace trim and a hooped petticoat. One of the hoops is broken. The petticoat and skirt are fastened at the back waist with cream cotton ties. Underneath the front bodice and sleeves there is a shaped green woollen cloth and red woollen cloth padding. The body is hollow and across the back are nailed several crudely shaped pieces of wood. In the centre of the back there is a metal latch protruding. Tied to the end of this is a piece of picture card. At the top of the body where the neck would fit are two metal spikes, presumably to hold the head in place. The mechanism to operate the automaton is missing. There is evidence of woodworm and carpet beetle. The bodice is nailed to the body at the back opening. A brown silk parasol with black painted metal ferrule and frame and bone handle carved with roses. The tips of the spokes are also bone. There is a piece of yellow brown silk cord attached to the handle. The silk of the parasol is badly shattered and dirty. Total number of items is 3.