Automata: Life & Other Illusions

Lot #74:

The Tiger Tamer Automaton.

The Tiger Tamer Automaton. England: Frank Nelson, 2008. As the crank is turned, the tiger tamer cracks his whip twice. The big cat at his left refuses to perform his trick, shaking his head twice in dissent. Finally, the tiger accedes, but instead of allowing the man to put his head in the tiger’s mouth, the tamer opens his jaws wide to allow the big cat’s head inside of his mouth. Finely carved wooden figures, all components hand painted. Height 14”. One of five from the improved edition, updating the original versions hand crafted by Nelson beginning in the 1970s. Signed and numbered by the maker on the reverse of the tent. Nelson’s automatons generally ended each “story” they told with an O’Henry-like twist, as evidenced in this model, which Nelson himself referred to as “the best idea I ever had.” VIEW VIDEO