$6,500
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Description
17" (43 cm.) x 13". Arranged upon a felt-covered
wooden platform is an Archer seated on a chair of
Italian baroque design,dressed in English medieval
garb comprising mauve jerkin,leather hood and
boots,yellow shirt and red pants. The head and
body of the Archer,as well as most of his
mechanisms,is of finely carved and highly finished
wood,primarily native English yew and walnut. The
base has glass panel sides so that the mechanism
can be seen in action. Movement and Music: The
Archer reaches down with his right arm to pick up
an arrow from the revolving four-stage "capstan"
at this side. Gripping this arrow between his
finger and thumb,he lifts the bow in his left hand
and places the arrow into position,leaning forward
as if to take aim,and even closing one eye for
better accuracy. A notch in the flighted arrow
engages in the bow string as the left arm draws
the bow to the point of highest tension,at which
time the arrow is released and flies a distance of
about six feet. The Archer follows the flight with
his head,stamps his right foot in satisfaction,and
sticks out his tongue. The act is repeated four
times in succession. A 72-note Reuge musical
movement accompanies the action. 16 animations. 3
tunes. David Secrett,England,1982. The artist's
background was as an accomplished cabinet maker.
He was inspired to create the Archer after
witnessing the exceptionally rare Japanese
karakuri ningyo version of an automaton Archer.
Secrett built only a small number of the
Archer,each varying slightly from the next in its
actions,music or composition. The complex
mechanism consists of a carved wooden fusee drive
and string linkages operating from 16 cams.
Structurally excellent except string linkages
which are slackened and require readjustment.