Automat with a music box under a glass dome, attributed to H.W. Prau in Essen, c. 1900
Key facts
- Place of manufacture
- Food
- Production time
- around 1900
- H.W. Prau
- x
Description
A rare automaton with a music box under a glass dome, made in Essen around 1880 On the black ebonised wooden base stands a small mountain scene featuring a grotto, a windmill and a castle ruin. When the automaton mechanism is wound up (separately from the music box), a small gondola carrying three people travels through the grotto, with one of them playing a lute (the arm moves slightly up and down); in the background, a waterfall flows (rotating glass spiral), above which stands a windmill (the sails turn), as well as a castle ruin with a clock face in the tower (the hand turns, controlled by the automaton). In addition, a musical mechanism is fitted which plays two melodies (see pictures). The automaton’s movement is marked ‘C M’. The automaton and the music box are in working order, although it does stop from time to time (if you give the glass spiral a gentle turn, it starts running again). The music box squeaks slightly. The decorative elements are made of cork, sheet metal, moss and small clay bricks, etc. On the base: ‘H. Wetserboer Nov 1906 Vinkeveen’ (written twice in pencil – once in old handwriting beneath the music box and once in newer handwriting in the photograph) The glass dome fits exactly onto the base. Dimensions: Height: 54 cm Width: 32 cm Depth: 21 cm The components are extremely fragile, which essentially rules out posting; therefore, please collect in person only from 98701 Herschdorf.