Tortoise automaton the size of a watch and adorned with jewels

Master watchmaker Raúl Pagès has set himself a goal: contribute to historical continuity and uphold the centuries-old tradition of prestigious automata. Marvel at the amazing craftmanship that went into making this gorgeous jewel-encrusted tortoise automaton!

From the video description:

Master watchmaker Raúl Pagès unveils his first creation, the "Tortoise" automaton which moves thanks to a mechanism similar to a watch movement. With this unique piece, entirely manufactured in Switzerland, the independent brand PAGÈS brings back to life the forgotten tradition of prestigious automatons.

Here is where you can learn more about Raúl Pagès creator of automata and master watchmaker.

[ Thanks Larry! ]

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Zoltar Speaks replica fortune teller - How it was made

Roger Hess wrote to say that he has created a long "how it's made" article detailing the build process of the Zoltar Speaks fortune teller we featured on this blog back in 2010. The video shown above is a new compilation of video clips which shows the mechanism in operation.

This article is a fascinating in-depth look at the process. If you have any interest in old coin-operated machines (or are perhaps thinking of making one) this article is full of useful stuff.  It has a little bit of everything: cam timers, casting eyeballs, paint techniques, jewelry-making, and advanced woodworking methods. And, that's just a taste!  The article serves also to demonstrate the amount of skill and dedication required for a project of this magnitude. My hat is off to Roger Hess. Incredible.

Here's a link to the full-length article on The Making of the Zoltar Speaks Fortune Teller Replica.

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German-style 3 inche jeweler's saw frame with blade assortment

Here is a 3 inch jeweler's saw that gets high marks on Amazon. These are great for cutting intricate shapes in thin sheet metals such as gold, silver, copper, and brass. The saw comes with a pack of 144 saw blades in assorted sizes (fineness of cut). If you are just getting started with one of these, you'll want two things to go with it. First, you will want a decent bench pin to use as a sawing platform. I use a wood bench pin with a metal anvil. This saves you from shifting back and forth between tools quite so often. Finally, you will want some Cut Lube or beeswax with which to lubricate the back side of the saw blade.

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German-made hand vise used by jewelers, watchmakers, and clockmakers

The hand vise shown here is sure to be a useful addition to any Maker's toolbox. Similar tools have been used by jewelers, watchmakers and clockmakers for ages.

Based on the design of a tool from the 1900s, this little hand vise is helpful for holding all manner of small objects. Because there is a hole which passes through the handle, wire can be threaded all the way through and then worked above the serrated jaws which hold it securely.

The hand vise is tightened with a wing nut. Made in Germany of high grade tool steel, it measures 4-1/2 inches in length with a 5/8 inch jaw width.

Here is where you can get this German-made hand vise.

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Instructional video for artists and makers about working with bailing wire

Artist Aaron Kramer knows how to make things. He also knows how to use a huge assortment of materials. When asked about making cold connections with wire, he decided to produce this very instructive long-form video (about 10 minutes) on the topic.

From the artist:

I really haven't seen anything worthwhile on the internet so here is my take on the subject. I put together this little 9.5 minute introduction with a running commentary to impart a little of what I know. I feel a trained jeweler or metalsmith may have a different take on this so this is what you get from a self taught artist type.

Well done! I know I learned a lot.

Here is where you can see artwork by Aaron Kramer.

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How to work with brass: part 1, tools for cutting brass

The latest installment of my articles on automaton making is now available on the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre web site. In this one, we look at some different ways to cut brass rod, wire, tubing, and sheet. We use various tools including cutting pliers, hacksaws, tubing cutters, hobby saws, and the jeweler's saw.

Here is where you can find Dug's Tips No. 13 on How to Cut brass.

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Automata as jewelry - pendant automaton by Kimberly Nogueira

Here is a small mechanical piece of jewelry by metalsmith Kim Nogueira. The piece, a pendant to be exact, recently won first place in a design contest held by Metal Clay Artist Magazine. This year's annual design competition was called "Metal Clay Plus...". The magazine was looking for work that incorporated innovative combinations of metal clay and non-metal materials.

Nogueira's piece, entitled Lost Point of Origin, is made from fine silver, sterling and bronze clays, mica, vitreous glass enamel, faper, thread, tourmaline, a found object, pearl, etched and pierced copper sheet, fine silver wire, sterling silver sheet, wire and tubing. That's a lot of different materials!

From the artist:

When I made this piece, I had no idea that others would be interested in what I thought was a beautiful but very odd box. I was just excited to have an excuse to push myself to use whatever materials my heart desired to tell a story.

You can see more jewelry by Kim Nogueira on her web site.

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Steampunk ring with realistic human eye that opens

Now here's some jewelry that makes a statement. I think that statement is something like "MY FINGER-EYE IS WATCHING YOU!" This unique ring is made of pewter in three different shades. Of course, the standout element isn't a jewel, but rather a lifelike artificial human eye. I'm not sure if there is any automatic component to it, but the metallic lid does somehow slide open to reveal the eye to the shock and amusement of all.

The product description is cryptic in that special Steampunk sort of way:

A surviving, stand-alone animated integrant of the advanced, life-sized android from the famous workshops of Ezekiel Rosenstein; C 1865. 3-tone pewter ring with opening eye-lid exposing a realistic, taxidermal eye.

I think what is being suggested is that the ring holds the eye of an automaton build by some person named Ezekiel Rosenstein around 1865. From what I gather, Ezekiel Empire Rosenstein was an engineer who invented the Galvanic Matter Transpositor. The work of this forgotten genius has recently been "rediscovered". OK. Good fiction. Good fun!

Here's where you can get the steampunk automaton eye ring on eBay. The seller is in the UK, so be sure to double-check the shipping charges if you are in the United States.

The ring is also available on Amazon as the Steampunk Automaton's Eye of Ezekiel Rosenstein Gothic Ring.

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Four beautiful singing bird boxes featuring tiny automaton birds

Four antique singing bird boxes like the one shown in the video will be included in today's auction hosted by Skinner.

Here are images of the actual singing bird boxes going to auction:

Contained within these small, elegant music boxes is a complex mechanism and bellows which provide mechanical movement to the bird, wings, tail and beak while pumping air through a tiny slide-whistle, which provides the sound. Most of these are German made. They are estimated to be worth between $400 to $1,200 each.

Here are the auction details
Date: June 2, 2012, 10am
Preview Times:
   June 2, 2012, 8am - 9:30am
Location: 274 Cedar Hill Street, Marlborough, MA

Here is the Skinner's Science, Technology & Clocks page where the online catalog may be viewed.

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Wonder Object - Film featuring artist Gary Schott

Here is a lovely film that features the art and thoughts of metalsmith and kinetic sculptor, Gary Schott. He has a wonderful approach to his work and creates finely-crafted and unique art.

From the film description:

Artist Gary Schott utilizes his skills as a Metalsmith to create playful and beautiful mechanized objects. This documentary was produced in association with Southwest School of Art. Learn more about their BFA program at swschool.org.

Learn more about the artist on his web site at GarySchott.com.

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Classic jeweller's hand vise for holding small work

Our good friend Charles Mak wrote in to suggest that the hand vise shown here might be a useful addition to the automaton-maker's toolbox. Funny, I was looking through the Lee Valley Tool catalog just two days ago and thought the same thing!

Based on the design of a tool more common in the 1900s, this little hand vise is helpful for holding all manner of small objects. Because there is a hole in the handle, wire can be threaded through and then worked above the jaws -- a nice feature. The handle can also be clamped into a larger vise allowing you to hold smaller items than normally possible.

While Amazon offers a variety of small hand vises, none look as appropriate or as cost-effective as the Jeweller's Hand Vise at Lee Valley Tools.

[ Thanks Charles! ]

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Baranger window displays from House on the Rock

Artist Aaron Kramer was kind enough to share some video of the collection of Baranger animated window displays from The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

Aaron Kramer on this video:

I first became aware of the Baranger displays at the House on the Rock in Spring Green Wisconsin. I shot this old video of several playing in 1997. ... I did not get much info on the inner workings of these. At the auction John Daniel was nice enough to open the back of one. The were all chain driven with cogs, shafts and linkages. Electric. In editions of 30 but some were repurposed over the years. At House on the Rock they have taken parts from some and re-made their own displays.

Here is a link to a rare book on the subject: Baranger: Window displays in motion: dramatizing the jewel

[ Thanks Aaron! ]

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Vintage 1947 animated Baranger diamond display

Baranger Motion machines were animated mechanical store window displays made from 1925 to 1959 by the Baranger Company of South Pasadena, California. They were typically rented to jewelers and were changed on a monthly rotation. The example above is currently available on ebay.

From the ebay listing:

Their appearance was toy-like, cartoonish, or Art Deco, and they featured simple, repetitive motions performed by the doll-like sculptures. No brand names or jeweller's names appeared on the displays; most of them pitched the generic idea of buying diamonds or watches. A typical motion showed technicians working on a "diamond reactor" with dials labelled "fire" and "sparkle," and a plaque noting that "Your diamond will appear much larger in one of our modern mountings." Many depicted couples courting or honeymooning, often in fanciful surroundings such as a Well Fargo stagecoach. Placards often suggested that a diamond could facilitate a favorable courtship outcome: "You will always be on the right road with one of our beautiful diamonds."

Here is the full ebay listing for this animated Baranger diamond display.

[ Thanks Aaron! ]

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Ethiopian Caterpillar automaton by Maillardet

The Ethiopian Caterpillar is an exquisite automaton from 1820 going to auction at Sotheby's November sale in Geneva. The automaton is attributed to Henri Maillardet -- creator of the famous drawing automaton now at the Franklin Institute.

Only six automaton caterpillars are known to exist and only two of these are studded with diamond, emeralds, rubies, and turquoise as the one for sale by Sotheby's is. This is a fantastically rare, important, and valuable piece. The pre-auction estimates place its value somewhere between $350,000 to $450,000.

From the Sotheby's catalog:

The body realistically designed to represent a caterpillar comprising eleven jointed ring segments, framed by seed pearls, and decorated with translucent red enamel over an engine-turned ground, studded overall with gold-set rubies, turquoise, emeralds,and diamonds. The underside is decorated with champlevé black enamel. When the automaton movement is engaged, the caterpillar crawls realistically, its body moving up and down simulating the undulations of a caterpillar by means of a set of gilt-metal knurled wheels. The automata work is composed of a barrel, cam and two leavers all working together to create the crawling motion.

Here is the Sotheby's catalog listing for the The Ethiopian Caterpillar automaton by Maillardet.

[ Thanks Michael! ]

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Book: The Jeweler's Studio Handbook

Looking to improve your metalworking skills? The Jeweler's Studio Handbook walks you through setting up a working space, selecting tools, and how to work with various materials. The reader will learn to master metalworking techniques by completing the twenty illustrated jewelry projects covered in the book. The book also features nice photographs of fine jewelry by many talented artists. It gets very high marks from Amazon reviewers.

Here's where you can look inside and order The Jeweler's Studio Handbook: Traditional and Contemporary Techniques for Working with Metal and Mixed Media Materials.

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Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian & Mechanical

I don't know why I am surprised to find books on how to make things in the "Steampunk style", but I am. I guess it is truly a mainstream thing now. Anyway, this looks like an interesting book on how to make steampunk jewelry.

A bit about the book:

This how-to jewelry-making book features the work of an array of invited jewelry designers influenced by the growing Steampunk trend....Each project provides a complete materials and tools list, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations.

Here the link to Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings

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Gary Schott's MECHANICAL PLAYTHINGS

Texas-based metalsmith, jeweler and educator, Gary Schott, will be holding his first real solo show, called MECHANICAL PLAYTHINGS starting this week.

The show opens Nov. 28th at Design Works, located in Galveston, TX at 2119A Post Office Street. The opening reception will be held from 6-9PM Saturday Nov. 28th, 2009.

It is sure to be a great show in which you can touch and play with some mechanical art-toys.

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Clever hand-cranked mechanical brooches

Take a look at these clever little mechanical brooches made by Gary Schott for the Society for Contemporary Craft.

From the artist's description:

These wearable objects emphasize and play with the already existing intimate nature between a wearer and their jewelry object.

In order to fully succeed, both my mechanical works and my wearable objects require human interaction, celebrating intimate moments between object and user(s). This playful collaboration becomes the artful moment for me.

See more work by Gary Schott on his web site.

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Musical automaton ring with moving figures

Now here is a unique piece. This antique ring is an automaton with moving figures built into it! Granted, I don't fully understand how you operate the ring, but the mere concept is unspeakably cool.

From the eBay item description:

This is a very fine and unusual 18K gold mechanical ring with a moving woman and men are playing a song by turning a crank. The background is fine glazed. The ring is in a beautiful and working condition from Isaac Daniel Piguet, Genève, circa 1805.

Here is a link to the full listing for the Musical automaton ring with moving figures.

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