Musical Sailor Automaton Diorama
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A British musical automaton of sailors dancing the Hornpipe, circa 1880, the glazed and gilt frame diorama displaying two painted metal sailors with articulated knees and hips, who dance to a music-box version of the hornpipe, with painted exotic harbour background depicting a sailboat with three passengers, the case with handle housing a musical key winding movement w key wind. A similar example is illustrated in "Jack Tar a sailor's life: 1750-1910," p.151. H: 35 cm, W: 37.5 cm, diameter 17.5 cm
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- Diorama - When used in relation to antiques and collectables, a diorama is a three dimensional display, usually within a domed or rectangular glass case.
As the feathers of birds are more easily damaged than the skin of an animal, most taxidermied birds are displayed within a glazed diorama. The birds will be set in lifelike poses in a naturalistic landscape, usually standing a branch within the diorama. Animals will be displayed set in the landscape they inhabit. The foreground will be set with gravel, rocks and bushes, while the background will be painted.
While most natural history dioramas can be easily picked up and carried by one person, some larger examples were made that were suitable for display at exhibitions.
The other type of diorama commonly seen is a model ship enclosed in a rectangular glass box, the ship depicted floating on the sea. - Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
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