Rabbit violinist musical automaton
Rabbit violinist musical automaton
France, Paris
Circa 1900
Fur, wood, metal; sewing, woodwork, mechanical work
Height 45 cm, 2 kg
Automaton in the form of white rabbit on its hind feet, playing a violin, is mounted on rectangular, covered with red velvet stand. Metal rack with music stand and notes is in front of the rabbit. Blue velvet cape with fringe and brass image of a lyre is on the music stand. The rabbit with white fur covered body. Glass eyes with orange rim. It holds a fiddlestick in its right paw, a violin in its left one. A keyhole is in his right side and activating button is on its back.
When the movement is turned on, the rabbit right paw leads the bow along the strings, the left paw raises and lowers the violin, and the head turns from side to side, the tail rises and falls in time with the right paw. Actions are accompanied by the sounds of musical movement with sound comb and cylinder for one tune.
.Инв.1514/ММП