Passed
Click image to enlarge
Description
28" (71 cm.) Presented upon an ebony-finished tall wooden base with gilt-pencil-striping inlay is a highly animated scene of stone-cutters working on the construction of a splendid Gothic-style Cathedral. The Cathedral itself is constructed of heavy card with painted bricks and marble on front and sides,and having applied richly ornamented and gilded spires,arches,windows,towers,and other architectural details. A ladder reaches to an upper tower,and at the side is a tall two-story scaffolding indicating the site of work in progress; one inanimate wooden figure is posed on the scaffolding. The foreground scene comprises six carved wooden figures,stonemasons,having finely carved and painted features,and original cloth costumes. Centered on the Cathedral is a working clock with porcelain with Roman numerals and skeletal pointers; it is a seven day movement with silk thread suspension,original suspension,and replaced bell with nickel-washed surface,striking on the hour and the half-hour. The entire scene is beautifully preserved under its original tall flat-sided glass dome with painted interior scene of sky,clouds and forest (some flaking of sky paint,old repair at bottom back).Movements and Music. Five workman furiously work at their crafts,chiseling,sawing,carving and finishing,each posed with the work object in hand,and suitable tool. The animation and music are driven by a separate clockwork motor with five wooden wheels bearing steel peg "spokes" acting as the individual cams directing the movement of each workman. There are five animations and one tune. Maker unknown,circa 1825. The clock bears the maker's stamp "L.Marti et Cie". Animated diorama scenes were made by skilled artisans,often on special commission,to commemorate significant occasions or simply as a remembrance of an event or a location. These ranged from the simple sand toy scenes such as those created by Pierre Landras of Paris,circa 1800,to the highly animated clockwork Scenes of Daily Life in Old Basel by Emil Wick,circa 1880. A similar model to the present example is in the Murtogh Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum except featuring carpenters rather than stone masons. This present example is outstanding for its superb artistry and realistic animation. The fine quality of clock indicates further its luxury origins.