Vichy was known for the subtlety of motion their automata possessed. Vichy showed several automata at Paris Universal Exposition of 1878. One observer noted that, "...Vichy's automata are distinguished by the flexibility and precision of their gestures...". One hundred and thirty years later, I can't argue.
Vichy is one of one of several French automaton makers covered in the large format hardcover Automata: The Golden Age 1848-1914
The muttering is a detail I don't think I would have thought to put in.
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
bob quinn,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if perhaps the timing of the arm and the head/mouth have become out of synch.
I'm thinking that perhaps the original motion was meant have the man raises the bottle to his face, then his mouth moves as if he is drinking the liquid.
Just a theory. I'll ask an expert I know I know about it.
Best,
Dug North