Automaton
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1880
Materials
Untinted bisque doll and metal automaton, textiles
Measurements
163 mm (length of base); 122 mm (width of base); 145 mm (height of base); 105 mm (height of doll)
Place of origin
Paris
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 659767
Summary
A skipping doll toy or automaton (1880). A rectangular metal base painted red and green. On the right hand side is a red metal rectangular frame housing a yellow painted metal spoked wheel. Beneath the wheel is a coiled metal spring with new piece of string attached to it. A metal rod runs through the frame, the wheel and through the clothing of an untinted bisque doll. Attached to the metal rod is a twisted metal hoop/ skipping rope. As the wheel rotates the doll and the skipping rope also rotate. The top of the metal base has a course texture painted green. The doll has an untinted bisque head, lower arms, hands, lower legs and feet. Painted facial features and blonde mohair hair. Stuffed cloth body, and upper legs. Wearing a cream fabric skirt, glue satin ribbon bodice trimmed with cream net, a cream petticoat trimmed with lace and a cream canvas inner petticoat.
Marks and inscriptions
Top of metal frame: [DEPOSE]/ HP/ PARIS