Paper Mache Automaton "The Berlin Bell Ringer"

Live Auction

36" (91 cm.) Standing upon a wooden platform which contains the movement motor,is a plump hearty man with sculpted moustache,brown glass inset eyes with mohair lashes,bald pate which is covered by his original tall paper mache hat with insignia,paper mache legs with painted leggings and black shoes,and paper mache arms with pointing finger on his left hand,and his right hand curled to hold the silver bell. The man is designed with a metal hinge on torso; thus when activated (electric motor),he tips forward and back,as though leaning into his work,his pointing finger designed to tap the store window in which he would he placed to draw attention,and his right hand ringing the bell. Condition: generally excellent,European wiring,mechanism functions well. Comments: German,late 19th century,the rare figure was designed as an attention getter in display windows of early 20th century Berlin stores. He wears his original felt official uniform of the Berlin town-crier who served the purposes of guarding the streets,lighting the gas lamps,and crying out at each hour "all is well". The figure was acquired by Jurgen and Marianne Cieslik during the 1980s and served as an icon for their important Puppenmagasin doll journal for nearly two decades. Value Points: great character modeling and attention-getting action with historic Berlin background.