Smoking Automaton Head, circa 1865

http://www.automatomania.com
A clockwork head that moves its glass eyes and smokes either a pipe or cigar. The head is made of papier mache and wood. The original wooden box contained envelopes of saltpetre and 'ribbon of bruge' to load the pipe with, also a letter dated 1882 explaining how to work it and confirming its sale to a London coffee shop. The mechanism will be restored in the new year and then I can post a film of him in full working order.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• automaton
• automata
• magic
• illusion
• steampunk
• smoking
• robot
• doll
• antique
• clockwork
• animation
• burton

[liamblackere]

awsome is he for sale?

[69mechanik]

@liamblackere Yup, through "The House of Automata"

[OttoSpoonmore]

You'd better keep this thing locked up inside its box at night. Was the complexion originally black, or did smoke and age darken the finish? What did you name it?

[69mechanik]

The head was always black and his name is Jack because he lives in a box!

[blackwhimsy]

It looks so real!!!!

Seriously,if I opened that box and found a black head like that,I'd assume it was a mummified head.AMAZING.

You have the most wonderful collection of ANYTHING in the world.How do I get started in finding/repairing automatons? I don't even know if we have any in Australia.(I'm an animator so I love moving objects.)

Thanks for posting these.They are a joy.

You must wake up everyday excited about what treasure you'll find.Hats off to you,good sir.

[69mechanik]

I was very excited about this one, I only opened the box about three times in the first month I had it, I just relished the anticipation. It also has this element of danger, saltpetre is a sort of gunpowder and he came with lots of it! And the letter.....I will try and scan it and post it on my web site. Thanks for your lovely comments.

[OttoSpoonmore]

OK, it's been a year, and Jack needs a smoke real bad. Let's see him smoke!

[19bunnyhug68]

I think this is really cool. However, if I found that someplace and opened it for the first time I would have a heart attack. lol

[tehSnark]

This one I find a little creepy..

[dariod2007]

eeeewwwww yukkk

[coldstrawberryblood]

eeek:0eery!cool_though

[Fuliginosus]

Wow--I can't wait to see this thing in action!