Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Video: Marie-Antoinette's Automaton


Isabella/Susan reporting:

Loretta and I are fascinated by historical automata – those elaborate wonders of clockwork mechanics from the 18th and 19th centuries. (Long-time readers of this blog will recall the Silver Swan, still swimming after more than 200 hundred years, and the twin Golden Elephants with the spinning rubies, as well as this description from La Belle Assemblee.) Automata represented the highest levels of ingenuity, craftsmanship, and imagination, and are as amazing today in the digital age as they must have been to their earlier audiences. They were favorites of royalty, extravagant toys for the king, queen, or emperor who truly did have everything.

This elegant lady – known as La Joueuse de tympanon (The Dulcimer Player) – is a stunningly beautiful example. Made in Germany by clockmaker Peter Kintzing and cabinetmaker David Roentgen, this automaton was presented to Queen Marie-Antoinette in 1785. The queen was enchanted, bought the piece at once, and had it placed in the Academy of Science.

I know the little dulcimer-player is only painted clockwork, but when she turns her head with that little side-long glance, I can't keep from thinking of everything she's seen in her long, long life. . . .
at

10 comments:

  1. Susan BaileyJuly 20, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    Oh, your video reminds me of a music box museum in Wiscasset, Maine called the Musical Wonder House. We vacationed in nearby Booth Bay Harbor a couple of times and gave up dinners so we could buy some nice boxes. That place was magical, you'd love it! It's got a large collection of mechanical wonders like the one on this post. Here's the website: http://www.musicalwonderhouse.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoannaJuly 20, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    I really enjoyed the video. I love the silver swan & have seen it several times as I live in the North of England. I am also fond of Tipu's Tiger in the V&A. My husband loves the Knight on Horseback Wells Cathedral clock.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MariaJuly 20, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    Wonderful post, and what a beautiful piece of craftsmanship! I was also intersted to read Susan's comment, since I'm in New England and would love to go to the Musical Wonderhouse.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 20, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Just wonderful! What exquisite skill it must have taken to craft such a piece. Thank you so much for sharing these amazing Georgian automata.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Donna Hatch, Historical Romance AuthorJuly 20, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    How utterly charming! What an absolute delight!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Isobel CarrJuly 20, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Have you read The Turk? Great history of the legendary card-playing automaton. I want to put it in a book soooooo bad, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. KathyJuly 21, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    This is a bit OT, but I wonder if anyone knows of a blog, or site (other than wikipedia) with information on Louis XV? Such an interesting man in a very interesting time, but not much info on the web (or I'm looking in the wrong places). What information I have on him makes me think he suffered from severe depression, or something.

    ReplyDelete
  8. KathyJuly 21, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    Ah- I thought I'd left a comment on the automaton. Very cool, and when the figurine turnes her head she really does seem to be looking around her. Do you know what the tune is?

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 22, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    I agree. This is completely haunting and that little sidelong glance gave me chills!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Gossamer TearoomSeptember 29, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    How wonderful and beautiful! I am new to your blog and am finding it completely fascinating! Will become one of your followers today!

    Betty

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.