Automata: Life & Other Illusions

Peasant and “Baby” Piglet Musical Automaton. Vichy, ca. 1900. Musical mechanical automaton, the peasant having an expressive plaster-composition head, glass eyes, articulated mouth, felt hat and mohair wig, with original embroidered satin, silk, and velvet costume, wooden shoes, sitting on a chair with rucksack tied at the side. Carved and painted piglet with glass eyes, protruding tongue. The peasant turns his head and nods, shrugs his upper body and shakes right leg, lowering the morsel to the piglet’s mouth, and the piglet turns its head toward the food, as a melody plays. Minor chipping to the piglet’s head and peasant’s left hand, otherwise fine, no mouth movement of either figure. Height 31”. Literature: Bailly, The Golden Age of Automata, p. 98. VIEW VIDEO