Automaton
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1910
Materials
Wood, paper, silk, lace and bisque
Measurements
224 mm (height); 291 mm (width); 230 mm (depth)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671296.2
Summary
An automaton made in Germany in circa 1910. The automaton is of a 3D tea party scene, depicting two ladies sitting at either end of a table, taking tea, with a maid serving them. The scene is set on a wooden box with a paper coating with a yellow flower motif on a green background around the sides, and a red, blue, green and white floral pattern on the top. The sides of the box are painted pale yellow, and the top, between the yellow paint and the floral paper, has a strip of white 'beading' (missing in places). Out of the front side of the box protrudes a silver and grey metal handle which is turned to make the automaton 'come to life'. The three figures have bisque heads with wood for the rest of their bodies. They have painted facial features, painted bodies, and their shoes and socks are painted on in white and orange. They have blonde/brown hair made of an unknown substance. The two ladies are wearing cream silk dresses (very discoloured) with cream lace around the neck, a cream ribbon around the waist and a frill around the hem. On their heads are cream silk hats (very discoloured and the silk has shattered on top). They each hold a teacup in their right hand made of wood and painted white on the inside and green with a mushroom pattern on the outside (very dirty). The lady sitting on the right has lost her left leg and foot. The maid is wearing a black dress with a cream collar and a cream silk apron over the top, edged with cream lace and tied with a bow at the back. Around her head is a length of cream silk ribbon, ruched on the top her head and tied in a bow at the back, the ends dangling down her back. Again her outfit is very discoloured and her toes have broken off. In her right hand she holds a teapot painted white on the inside and green with a mushroom pattern on the outside (some of the paint has chipped). Underneath each figure is a narrow rusted metal pole which comes out of the box into the base of the figure. The table and chairs are made of wood and are painted white. On the table is a cream silk table cloth with cream lace around the edges (very discoloured and the silk has split in places) and two wooden plates, a wooden milk jug and a wooden sugar bowl, all painted white on the inside and green with a mushroom pattern on the outside (they are dirty and the paint has been chipped in places). The crockery is glued to the table. When set in motion, the maid passes tea from one lady to the other with the teapot. The ladies have head and arm movements and sip at their tea as the music plays.
Provenance
On loan to the Museum of Childhood from Mrs C. V. E. Benfield.