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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: micaela on March 19, 2014, 10:18:43 pm

Title: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: micaela on March 19, 2014, 10:18:43 pm
Hi, I see this item and like some info if you know. I never see this type of items. This is a electric bronze figure automaton.

Take 60 cm or 23.6 icnhes to high

(http://i57.tinypic.com/2ibmidk.jpg)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/28ingn7.jpg)
(http://i61.tinypic.com/10d9jki.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/29z806.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/jt02yw.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/k2zkwn.jpg)
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2ujqjvo.jpg)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2zishab.jpg)
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: KC on March 19, 2014, 11:28:32 pm
What moves on it?  Have you plugged it in?
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: micaela on March 20, 2014, 08:42:18 am
Hi, move the arms. I open to see inside.

Regards

Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: Mat on March 20, 2014, 09:27:22 am
Hi, it looks like a German "Gartenzwerg". These dwarf figurines were and are made as garden decoration. However, I have never seen one in bronze and also not an "automaton-Gartenzwerg"...
Mat
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: KC on March 20, 2014, 12:18:06 pm
Will have to do some looking.  With the popularity of this little fella' lately coupled with the age and automaton...this should be worth a bit!

Nice Find!
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: micaela on March 20, 2014, 03:34:50 pm
Thanks, I like know the maker or anothing of the item. I open to see inside in the motor if I see anothing. And up photos of this.
How much you thing is possible cost? I never see this or similar.

mica
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: KC on March 20, 2014, 03:49:06 pm
Mica, does it play music as well?  Why do you think Germany?  Are they any markings?  Please describe any printing/imprints/markings you see.  Even on the motor!

When I first saw this it made me think it was either from the German Grimm's Fairy Tales (and belonged with a group setting) titles  "Die Wichtelmänner".  The story is of the elves and the cobbler.
The second would be a scene from Santa's village and the elves working in the toy shop!

This would have been a great display for a nice store window!

Still searching...
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: micaela on March 21, 2014, 11:54:18 pm
(http://i58.tinypic.com/2s7grjl.jpg)
(http://i61.tinypic.com/4kcx3q.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2z8or9v.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/1zzl05t.jpg)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/11ujhcn.jpg)
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: cogar on March 22, 2014, 02:44:05 am
That's a great piece. It looks like both his face and arms move.

Could that have been part of a "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" store window or holiday display?

Given the casting and the mechanism ..... I have to assume there were lots of them produced and sold.

Micaela, you sure have or find some interesting things.
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: micaela on March 22, 2014, 07:19:24 am
Hi, Thanks.

when I open I think the same. Of the face. But the figure dont move anithing in the face. I dont know ho is the mechanism in the face part.
I film moved and add lather.
regards
Micaela
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: Rauville on March 22, 2014, 07:58:30 am
Hi, Thanks.

when I open I think the same. Of the face. But the figure dont move anithing in the face. I dont know ho is the mechanism in the face part.
I film moved and add lather.
regards
Micaela

I'm guessing the mechanism behind the face is the "gear box" that changes direction of the motor's output shaft, in order to move the arms.
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: cogar on March 22, 2014, 02:42:12 pm
Right you are Ruville, ....... I just took a closer look at it ..... and now I see the shaft.
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: mart on March 22, 2014, 07:41:54 pm
Looks mid 20th century !! Or did they use those square drive screws before that ?? I tend to agree with Mat on German manufacture being that Micaela is in that area !! I remember Sears and JC Penny`s had similar figures in their Christmas display window !! All moving at once !! I thought it was magic !! Of course I was only about 6 years old !! Everything was magic to me back then !!
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: KC on March 22, 2014, 08:10:06 pm
My 2 cents....I think this was made for store window display or in store display or could have even been made for a .  Don't believe that many were made due to the costly materials used.  Looks like it came from the early 1920 - 1930's time period.

If it works in great condition, you can easily get $200++ from a collector.  Believe me, automata are highly collectible!

I don't know about these folks...but it would be worth your time to see if they had any ideas about your piece, it's origin, etc.  They may not answer, or be a terrific resource!  The House of Automata
http://automatomania.co.uk/contact/ (http://automatomania.co.uk/contact/)
Title: Re: Rare bronze figure automaton
Post by: micaela on March 28, 2014, 09:40:21 am
movie of the automaton working

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6AV3cf05ZA