SEE MORE ITEMS HERE. A BRIEF HISTORY OF TURTLE AUTOMATA (SEE VIDEO IN THIS LISTING). Around 1610, Georg Fronmiller of Augsburg, Germany crafted a turtle automaton clock in gold-plated copper, iron, brass, bronze, wood, silver, and enamel, making this most likely the earliest known turtle automaton. It is currently at home in the Princely Treasury of the Hessian Museum (Fürstliche Schatzkammer, Hessisches Landesmuseum) of Darmstadt. A spring mechanism wound by key allows the paper-maché-and-wood animal with articulated head and limbs to realistically crawl. More decorative instances were made in the twentieth century, with Sotheby’s in 2013 having auctioned an interesting key-wound silver turtle automaton. With a singing bird in its shell made in Germany in about 1975 (exactly same model offered in this listing). While the work is not attributed, it certainly docks into the tradition begun there in the 1600s. This turtle’s silver case is elaborately engraved to represent turtle scales; its head moves when the bird sings. The bird additionally flaps its wings and moves its beak. This is a fabulous, exceptional and with no doubt the rarest vintage automaton singing bird box ever made, with the shape of a turtle. This turtle’s sterling silver case is elaborately engraved to represent turtle scales; its head moves when the bird sings. Completely made in massive sterling silver Germany in about 1975. This automaton turtle is so unusual that you can only found a picture provided by Sotheby´s in a research made MB&F Kelys & Chirp, a reputable Company that currently. That takes up this tradition manufacturing a new and incredibly sophisticated models of automaton turtles. This extraordinary piece has been perfectly preserved (mint condition) and works perfectly (see video). It includes its original key. A really museum automaton turtle. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your visit. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Music Boxes”. The seller is “rarityland” and is located in this country: AR. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Time Period Manufactured: 1970-Now
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
- Handmade: Yes