Automaton
Category
Toys
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, cardboard, glass and metal
Measurements
267 mm (height); 352 mm (width); 112 mm (depth)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671296.3.1
Summary
A German automaton of a rat catcher scene, dating from circa 1890. The scene has a background painted on cardboard, with pieces of cardboard overlaid to be the moving parts. The background is blue and there is a grey wall on the left side and a decorative terracotta and brown wall on the right side with a similar coloured and patterned platform. On the platform is a brown rat which moves. Between the two walls is a man wearing a yellow dressing gown with a red 'splodge' pattern all over it, and white trousers. The dressing gown has a pink collar, cuffs, tie cord and pocket. On the man's head is a white and blue striped bed cap with a blue bobble on top. The man has exaggerated facial features, wears glasses and has brown hair. In his right hand he is holding a decorative bat on a wooden handle. His head, the bat and his arm from his elbow are all moving parts. When the automaton is set into motion, the man nods his head and strikes at the darting rat with the bat, which he never succeeds in hitting! It is all mounted inside a deep, brown painted, wooden frame with glass across the front. On the back of the frame is a brown painted wooden box which presumably contains the mechanism. On the back bottom edge of the box a small piece of wood is attached. Presumably the frame is supposed to sit upright and this piece of wood acts as a foot to support it. The one on the other side is missing. On the top side of the box is a metal ring, and on the right side a small piece of metal protrudes out the side of the box. On the back for the box is a small circular hole through to the inside of the box and a paper label reading 'Muster deponirt, am 23. Januar 1885. 22. Septbr, 5. Marz 1886. 12. 1887. 27. Februar 1888. 23. Januar 1889. 20. Februar'.
Provenance
On loan to the Museum of Childhood from Mrs C. V. E. Benfield.
Marks and inscriptions
On a sticker on the back : 'Muster deponirt / am 23. Januar 1885. / " 22. Septbr. " / " 5. Marz 1886. / " 12. " 1887. / " 27. Februar 1888. / " 23. Januar 1889. / " 20. Februar " '.