While working on a more in-depth post of a fantastic building I visited recently, I wanted to leave you with something just to let you know I'm still around! Located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a collection of ingenius bejeweled objects known as automatons. These machines, popular in the mid 18th century (as so many of my favorite things were!), were mechanical moving devices; a sort of early day robot! Often they were more than a mere toy and incorporated something useful, such as the clock seen here. Made by James Cox in London, 1766, this device still would fascinate and amaze the most ardent anti-antiquarian!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Chinoiserie automaton
While working on a more in-depth post of a fantastic building I visited recently, I wanted to leave you with something just to let you know I'm still around! Located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a collection of ingenius bejeweled objects known as automatons. These machines, popular in the mid 18th century (as so many of my favorite things were!), were mechanical moving devices; a sort of early day robot! Often they were more than a mere toy and incorporated something useful, such as the clock seen here. Made by James Cox in London, 1766, this device still would fascinate and amaze the most ardent anti-antiquarian!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThis quint of automatons are also my favorits. Thanks to sharing this whit us.
Greetings
Jérôme
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing object. In Fanny Burney's novel, Evelina, the characters at one point go to visit James Cox to see his collection of intricate jeweled creations.
ReplyDeleteFabulous blog!
ReplyDeleteSandra Evertson
Cool!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is an opulent and captivating piece of art. They don't come up for auction very often, and always command a decent price. It is good to some in museums, and not just in private collections.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to you next building post. David.