Details
Image(s)
TitleMusical Singing Bird and Automaton Clock
Creator Blaise Bontems (automatenbouwer)
PlaceParis (France)
Year ca. 1870
Object number0049
Object nametimepiece with playing comb, table clock
DescriptionIn this object, the clock movement is not connected with the musical playing work.
The gilded-wood base supports a glass dome that houses a tree with birds, a waterfall and a sailing ship. Running through the tree trunk are three command wires that cause two hummingbirds to fly from one branch to another, they make as many as four different movements and the little bird at the top can also flap its wings. The effect is stunning - you almost don’t notice that the little birds are mounted on two iron wires that disappear backwards into the tree trunk.
The waterfall is formed by a crystal rod about 6 cm long, whose planes on the sides simulate a downward movement when rotated. The ever-changing light reflection mimics the idea of flowing water. The same mechanism that spins the rods also causes the ship to bob up and down on the waves. Additionally, on "the shore," two more birds are busy picking up food and drinking water.
Accompanying textsThe entire scene is accompanied by the music of a 2-air cylinder playing work that must be wound separately.
The clock was created by Blaise Bontems, automaton maker in the 19th century. From an early age he specialized in the art of stuffing and mounting animals - specifically birds. He went into the forests of Fontainebleau (near Paris) to absorb the sounds of birdsong, making improvements to his mechanisms until he was satisfied with the reproduced sound. Hummingbirds like these were not common there, of course, so the question is whether the sound in this case matches the real thing.
The clock was created by Blaise Bontems, automaton maker in the 19th century. From an early age he specialized in the art of stuffing and mounting animals - specifically birds. He went into the forests of Fontainebleau (near Paris) to absorb the sounds of birdsong, making improvements to his mechanisms until he was satisfied with the reproduced sound. Hummingbirds like these were not common there, of course, so the question is whether the sound in this case matches the real thing.
Dimensions
geheel height: 94 cm
geheel width: 60 cm
geheel depth: 34 cm
cilinder length: 10.4 cm
cilinder diameter: 2.6 cm
geheel width: 60 cm
geheel depth: 34 cm
cilinder length: 10.4 cm
cilinder diameter: 2.6 cm
Digital references