Automata: Life & Other Illusions

Magician Automaton from the Film “Sleuth.” Paris: JAF [?], ca. 1925/30. A nearly life-size conjuror figure outfitted in an elaborate turban and costume, holding a wand in one hand and a large velvet cone in the other. The automaton features glass eyes, and an articulated lower lip. He stands behind a finely carved wood table filled with arcane symbols, which assist in the concealment of the automaton’s mechanism. The figure’s body terminates in a papier-mache skirt, concealing an eight-cam electric motor that allows the magician to look from side to side, at the table top, and move his eyes to the left or the right, along with his lower lip as though mumbling spells. At the same time, the conjurer waves his wand four times, then lifts the cone to display one of six items, as if, with each step in the sequence, the object under the cone magically changes at the wave of his wand. Original costume and turban. Height 56 ½”. Lacks fingertips on right hand, head and wrist movements need adjustment. Eight movements.