Automaton
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1860
Materials
Metal and feathers
Measurements
205 mm (height); 220 mm (width); 535 mm (length)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671296.1
Summary
An automaton of a peacock made in France in circa 1860. It is made of metal covered in peacock feathers to make it look like a smaller version of the real bird. Its beak and legs are made of plain grey metal and it has two grey wire supports behind each leg so that it can stand up. Underneath its belly is a piece of black leather. On its right side a small piece of metal protrudes, to which a key would be attached to wind it up. There is also a grey metal lever on the chest of the bird. When set in motion, the bird walks and displays its tail feathers.
Provenance
On loan to the Museum of Childhood from Mrs C. V. E. Benfield.