Automata

Musical automaton “Piano Player”

    Musical automaton “Piano Player”

    Germany

    Circa 1890

    Wood, metal, paper, glass, cardboard; lithography, carpentry and mechanical work

    34.5 x 26 x 18.6 cm

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    Lithography with musical automaton is mounted in wooded stepped black frame with goldish strip covered with glass and connected by hooks-clasps with wooden case. The automaton driving mechanism and musical movement with pinned metal cylinder, sound comb and spring drive is inside the case. The case lateral sides are pasted with imitating wood grain paper. The lithograph features a parlor with bookshelves, draperies and piano, behind which musician sits on upholstered woth red cloth stool. He is dressed in black jacket, bluish plaid trousers, wearing brown shoes and bow tie. The score is on the music stand, the illegible name of the company is above the keyboard. Winding hole and cord for activating the musical movement are on the case right lateral side, wire lever for activating the automaton movement is below. The mechanism winding hole is on the case rear side. When the movement and mechanism are winded and activated, the melody sounds; the pianist's head and arm move vigorously, his left foot beats out time.

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    Инв.1474/ММП