Apelike Automaton Head From The First Half Of The 20th Century.

"Life-size work of French popular art, Simiesque Automaton Head From the First Half of the 20th Century. The main body (skull box and face) is made of embossed metal (iron and aluminum), while the neck and top hat are made of curved iron sheet This extraordinary and probably unique automaton, painted and dressed with false hair and eyebrows, comes to life by moving its eyes, flapping its ears and articulating its mouth thanks to an ingenious and complex electro-mechanical device. (see photographs 2 to 8). Everything is concealed in the skull and accessible through a trapdoor above the neck, allowing the smoke from the cigarette holder to be diffused through a nostril and a jet of smoke to be projected onto the audience. water from a nozzle positioned under the nose All of the devices, given their complexity, have been preserved in good condition and will require cleaning and repair from the purchaser. (photographs 9 to 18) what appears to be an electric motor, a lamp, a water pump, etc. Finally, the top hat which opens from above was probably intended for entertainment or storage. Dimensions Height 36 cm for a depth of 26 cm and a width of 23 cm