Featured Automaton Toy Identification

Hi All,

I recently acquired the two boys in the photos. Both are mechanical / automatons, with wood push boxes as shown. I would like to know the age, country of origin and maker for these. The black boy is about 13 inches tall, is composition and wood, with glass eyes, paper top hat, and a press box that currently makes a squeaking noise. It looks like he previously held something in his hand. Not sure if he's a minstrel singer, but I tend to think he's European in origin.

The other boy looks like a musician, is 9 inches tall, has a paper mache head and real human hair. He also has a push box which causes him to bring the legs and arms together to clap the cymbals on his legs and bell on his arm. I'm thinking he's European as well.

Would love to see if anyone can provide some details.

TIA

 

Very neat. Can't help you but great find.

 

probably fom a German Kirmessorgel. the holes in the hands is for fixing moving rods. are not really counted as automatons.

 

Thanks for your feedback. Are you suggesting that both figures were part of a Kirmessorgel or only the boy with the cymbals?

 

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/african-american-boy-automaton-doll-147-c-4a946a4986
Not much info but..

 

Here is the same african american child sold for $200.

African American Boy Automaton Doll - Apr 01, 2022 | Merrill's Auctioneers and Appraisers in VT (liveauctioneers.com)

 

Thank you both. Yes, this is the listing for the auction lot I picked up and would like to get more information on its origin, if anyone knows.

 

Kirmessorgel figures are carved, polychrome painted and lacquered wood.
The organs were/are used outside in fairgrounds, exposed to rain and wind, so textile and papier maché were not an option.

 

An example of carved and painted wooden figures on an organ, the two outer ones can hit the bells in their hands, the central one moves his head:

 

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That makes sense, thanks. Any thoughts on what the ones I have are?

 

I know very little about automatons, and only enough about street and fairground organs to know that your figures could never have been on an outside organ.
But I think you should search further along the lines of the links Bulldogs and Kiko posted.

As for the other one, I am old enough to remember showcases in in department stores with animated figures that 'played' music. They were called 'Bimbo-Boxes' overhere. Ours mostly had monkeys, but I can imagine that other figures were used elsewhere at an earlier date.

 

Thanks so much for your feedback.