Tableau automaton of a french village driven by multiple brass clock mechanisms

Check out this wall mounted tableau automaton depicting a village scene. This will be going to auction today at Skinner's Science, Technology, and Clock auction.

From the catalog description:

Tableau Automaton of a French Village, 19th/early 20th century, the lower scene depicting a double track canal with models of paddleboats, sailboats, cargo ships, and a water mill, above the molded rock formation lies a street scene with horse-drawn carriages, covered wagons, citizens of the village, and a clock tower with a Roman numeral dial and time and strike mechanism, a four-car passenger train with tender rides into a tunnel, all on individual belt-driven tracks that run on five different clockwork mechanisms, housed in a giltwood and glazed case, inside case stamped Chapeau, ht. 34 x wd. 55 x dp. 16 1/2 in. Estimate $1,000-1,500

The image above shows a detail of the automaton and the many brass clockwork mechanisms that drive the various moving parts of the scene.

Here is where you can see more images of the Tableau Automaton of a French Village

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The Unwelcome Dinner Guest - automaton by Dug North featuring a scene with a dog and bird

A while back I told you about the excellent mechanical wooden projects included in Gizmos & Gadgets special edition magazine. Here is some video of my contribution to the the magazine, a piece called The Unwelcome Dinner Guest.

The automaton depicts a backyard scene with a picket fence, doghouse, and birdhouse mounted to a pole. Apparently the dog has recently been fed because his bowl is overfull with food. Sadly for the dog, his leash has become wrapped around the birdhouse pole and he cannot reach his food bowl. This situation provides the perfect opportunity for the local bird to enjoy a big meal, free of charge. All the poor dog can do is wag its tail, jump, and bark at the bird.

The article in Gizmos & Gadgets shows you how to make a wood automaton from start to finish. I designed the automaton using simple wood shapes, and thin boards obtained from a local home improvement center, and assorted hardware. Using the wooden shapes means you don't have to have carving tools or skills. Using the boards from the home improvement center means you should be able to find them easily. While challenging for the beginner, the project should be fun and gratifying. People seem to really love the scene.

The original version of The Unwelcome Dinner Guest automaton that appears in the magazine is currently available. The signed piece will also include a copy of the magazine, also signed. Please use this contact form to get in touch with Dug North if you are interested in acquiring the piece or one like it.

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Moving picture of a man in a flying contraption

YouTube user GrigorevViktor posted this video of a moving picture depicting a man in a mechanical flying contraption -- something like one Leonardo Da Vinci might have designed. I love the floating motion of the man, the subtle shifts in his posture, and the use of moving background elements.

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Cobbler shop automaton for window display

Here is a great antique window-shop display featuring cobblers busy at work. The maker is not listed in the eBay description, but we know that Schoenhut made moving-picture type automata and some of them specifically depicted shoe-maker's shops. One of these can be seen in Mary Hillier's book Automata and Mechanical Toys.

This one measures 19 inches wide by 13 inches high and it appears to work quite well. Here is a video of the automaton in action:

Here is a link to the eBay listing with many very detailed photographs (including the mechanism) of this cobbler shop automaton.

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Mechanical picture automaton of shoemaker's shop

Here's a charming little video of a gentleman showing off a tableau style automaton of a shoemaker and his apprentice at work. As one of the YouTube comments notes, it is very similar to one depicted on page 96-97 of Mary Hillier's book Automata & mechanical toys: An illustrated history. The one in the book is attributed to Albert Schoenhut. The one shown here is very, very similar, though it does not feature the third figure of the woman on the right side of the piece.

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