$7,050
Rare Mechanical Picture Automaton of Two Monkey Musicians, by Tharin , the hand-colored engraving of a male and female monkey in evening dress sitting before a music stand in room setting, an Empire clock flanked by Chinese vases on a chest in the background, musical manuscripts spread at their feet on the painted floor, in ebony veneered case with brass stringing and ripple-and-wave molding above plinth with twin rosewood drawers with pierced brass inlay on ebony fronts, with four-air cylinder movement and brass going-barrel movement driving two pulleys at different speeds, paper "camshaft" and six paddles, picture 8 x 11 in. , overall wd. 17 x ht. 18 in. Note: Although Tharin produced a version of this picture for the wall, the table model is rare. The two pulleys running at different speeds cause the male monkey to nod his head vigorously, tap his left foot, bow with his right arm and move two of his left fingers, while his companion plays her violin more sedately, (six separate movements).
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2006-07-29
