Automata

Advertising automaton "Clown Quisto"

    Advertising automaton "Clown Quisto"

    France, Paris

    Circa 1930

    Gaston Decamps

    Wood, metal, papier-mache, biscuit, plastic; carpentry and mechanical works, painting, casting

    98 x 75 x 37 cm

    On the plates: “MUSEUM / OF AUTOMATA”, “OPEN DAYLY / 9.30-5.30”, “EDULTS £ 3.80”, “CHILDREN £ 2.10”, “OAPS-STUDENTS £ 2.10”, “FAMILY TICKETS £ 10”, “VIDEO WALL”, “INTRODUCTION”, “MECHANICAL”, “MARVELS”, “ACROBATS, CLOWNS”, “MUSICIANS, ROBOTS”, “HANDS ON / ACTIVITIES”, “A MOVING / EXPERIENCE”, “FOR BOTH / YOUNG AND OLD”. On the body: "Quisto, Teignmouth”

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    Automaton in the form of a clown’s figure with a pointer in its right hand is mounted on rectangular wooden box with carrying handles on the lateral sides. The clown’s figurine is made of papier-mâché, the head and hands are made of biscuit, glass eyes are brown, face is in white make-up, red spots are on the cheeks and movable eyebrows are of reddish color. The figurine is dressed in white satin jumpsuit with blue polka dots, decorated with red inkle and blue tassels, red satin cape with oval patch with elements of lilac, yellow and white and the collar made of patches is over the jumpsuit. White with red pattern knee-high socks and red shoes are painted on the feet. The stand on triangular cast metal supports with rotating white plates with information about the work of the Museum of Automata (MUSEUM OF AUTOMATA) in York, England is fixed to the left of the clown’s figurine. The automaton control mechanism with electric motor driving seven brass cams that make the figure nod, look from left to right, raise and lower its eyebrows, move the lower lip, tap with a pointer in the right hand, and point with the left hand to the rotating plates. A toggle switch for turning on the automaton and wire with a plug for connecting to a 220-volt network are on the automaton rear side.
    Arthur Quisto lived from 1882 to 1960. His real name was Edwin Simms. He was known for his Punch & Judy shows, hence Quisto also created figures for Tom Coram and Arthur Prince shows. He used pneumatic devices and was the first to use electromagnetic devices for animating his figures.

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    Инв.2363/ММП