Automata: Life & Other Illusions

Chanteur by the Gaslight Musical Automaton. Paris: Vichy, ca. 1900. Musical mechanical automaton of a black male figure, papier-mache head with glass eyes, painted features, fleeced hair, articulated mouth, later theatrical tuxedo costume consisting of a green and red waistcoat with tails, cummerbund, plaid trousers, satin shirt, and bowtie. Leather shoes, felted hat. Standing against a wooden lamppost on a circular base painted to resemble a brick road, lower edge covered in velvet. When wound, the figure makes six movements, raising and lower both arms, the left holding a piece of sheet music, nods his head, blinks his eyes open and closed, opens and closes lips, and the top of the lamp rotates. Height 47”. VIEW VIDEO