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Authropoglossos St. Jamess Hall, Piccadilly
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Authropoglossos St. Jamess Hall, Piccadilly
Authropoglossos or mechanical large vocalist dummy head, made of wax and ornamented with that profusion of hair and beard, in the month he wears a large tin funnel, suspended from the ceiling by two long brass chains; from the throat a piece of red drapery descends about two feet in length, a man goes behind the figure, lifts up the drapery and discloses a view of bellows like a concertina, key is inserted into its neck and is wound up, during which it makes a melancholy moan. Date: circa 1830s
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Media ID 23057404
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1830s Automata Automatic Automation Bellows Concertina Dummy Jamess Machines Mechanical Performance Piccadilly Vocalist Wound Mechanician Musical
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image depicts Authropoglossos, a mechanical vocalist dummy, performing at St. Jamess Hall in Piccadilly during the 1830s. Authropoglossos, an intriguing automaton of the 19th century, was a marvel of mechanical engineering and entertainment. The figure, made of wax and ornately adorned with a profusion of hair and beard, wore a large tin funnel suspended from the ceiling by two long brass chains. A piece of red drapery descended from the throat of the figure, concealing the inner workings of the machine. Behind the figure, a man prepared to entertain the audience by lifting up the drapery, revealing the bellows-like concertina mechanism hidden within. The neck of the figure housed a key, which was inserted and wound up, causing the mechanical vocalist to emit a melancholic moan. The audience would be left in awe of this mechanical marvel, a testament to the ingenuity of the mechanician's art during the 19th century. Authropoglossos was just one of many automata and mechanical wonders that captivated the public's imagination during this era, offering a glimpse into the future of entertainment and the potential of mechanical automation. This photograph, taken circa 1830s, provides a fascinating glimpse into the past and the wonder that these mechanical figures brought to audiences during this time.
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