Automaton of alien with three arms performing a cups and ball magic routine

Here is a very nicely made wood automaton featuring an alien performing the famous cups and ball routine. It's a time-honored theme in the history of automata, which have a long association with magical illusions. This one does have a unique twist in that the performer -- what looks to be an alien in sunglasses -- has three arms. When the handle is turned, the alien shows the ball under one of three cups. He lowers the cups covering the ball and gives them a magical shake back and forth. When the cups are raised again, the ball has mysteriously moved from one cup to another.

Here is where you can learn more about the artist Per Helldorff.

[ Thanks TJK! ]

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