Details
Image(s)
TitleMusical Automaton, 'Rabbit in Cabbage'
CreatorRoullet & Decamps
PlaceParis (France)
Year 1911
Object number0868
Object nameautomaton with playing comb, automaton with cylinder
DescriptionBoth the cabbage and the rabbit are made of papier-mâché; the rabbit's head is covered with real rabbit fur and the cabbage with leaves of green silk. When the music box plays, the rabbit pops out and eats some cabbage, cautiously looks around and then suddenly hides in the cabbage again.
Accompanying textsInside the cabbage is a small musical movement with a musical comb which can play one tune.
It is possible to make really tiny cylinders and playing combs. In the 19th century, many snuff-boxes, pocket watches and other small gadgets were fitted with these musical pieces. A small playing comb and cylinder are also hidden in this automaton. The rabbit in the cabbage was a successful model and was mass-produced in France around 1900 and served to entertain not only the very young, but also adults. This popular design was produced in France, Germany and Austria. The automaton is not signed, but the newspaper the cabbage's papier-mâché is made of betrays something of its history. It is a German-language newspaper from 1911. This means that the automaton was manufactured in or after 1911.
It is possible to make really tiny cylinders and playing combs. In the 19th century, many snuff-boxes, pocket watches and other small gadgets were fitted with these musical pieces. A small playing comb and cylinder are also hidden in this automaton. The rabbit in the cabbage was a successful model and was mass-produced in France around 1900 and served to entertain not only the very young, but also adults. This popular design was produced in France, Germany and Austria. The automaton is not signed, but the newspaper the cabbage's papier-mâché is made of betrays something of its history. It is a German-language newspaper from 1911. This means that the automaton was manufactured in or after 1911.
Digital references