Musical automaton "The Guard Bear"
Musical automaton "The Guard Bear"
France, Paris
Circa 1890
Wood, metal, steel, brass, fabric, papier-mâché, fur; casting, joinery, mechanical works, sewing, painting
47 x 28 x 40 cm, 7 kg
On the key: "15"
The automaton in the form of a bear guarding under a tree is mounted to the right of a watchtower on a wooden base. Inside the tower, there is a sentry wearing a uniform peaked cap and a stand-up collar in the colors of the French army uniform.
The musical and control mechanisms with a spring drive are housed inside the base, with a winding pin hole and a pull-out on/off button located on the backside.When the spring is wound, the mechanisms are activated, a melody plays, and the bear smoothly tilts its upper body downward, as if trying to rest, and turns away from the tower. At this moment, the front part of the tower roof lifts, the sentry’s head appears, and he turns his head; not seeing the bear, he sticks out his tongue. The bear then turns its head, straightens up, and closes its mouth; upon seeing the bear, the sentry pulls in his tongue, hides his head, and the roof lowers. Reassured, the bear tilts its upper body, turns its head, opens its mouth, and the sequence repeats to the playing melody.
1792.1-2/ММП