Rare bronze figure automaton

[micaela]

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

[KC]

What moves on it?  Have you plugged it in?

[micaela]

Hi, move the arms. I open to see inside.

Regards

[Mat]

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

[KC]

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!

[micaela]

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

[KC]

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...

[micaela]

[cogar]

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.

[micaela]

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

[Rauville]

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.

[cogar]

Right you are Ruville, ....... I just took a closer look at it ..... and now I see the shaft.

[mart]

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 !!

[KC]

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/

[micaela]

movie of the automaton working

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