Automata Collection

Automaton at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition, 1929
A physiological robot at the Schoolboys Own Exhibition in London, 1929. Designed to show how organs of the body work, here three young visitors take great interest in its insides. Date: 1929

Maskelyne & Cooks automaton, Psycho
Maskelyne & Cooks thought-reading, whist playing automaton, Psycho, as demonstrated at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London

Science. The french inventor Jacques de Vaucanson. Imagery from the Parisian Department Store
3434272 Science. The french inventor Jacques de Vaucanson. Imagery from the Parisian Department Store: Aux Quatre Arrondissements, France, c.1900; (add.info.: Sciences. Coll. Part. Science)

'Drawing of Francis Picabia', c1930. Creator: Francis Picabia
'Drawing of Francis Picabia', c1930. Francis Picabia's early works were in the Impressionist style. After 1912 he developed a style of abstract cubism with orphic elements which

Ouistreham, Normandy, 1939 (tempera on gesso prepared panel)
657369 Ouistreham, Normandy, 1939 (tempera on gesso prepared panel) by Wadsworth, Edward Alexander (1889-1949); 38x53 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Ouistreham, Normandy)

Man Pumping Water, c. 1937. Creator: Beverly Chichester
Man Pumping Water, c. 1937

Automata and Androides (engraving)
3629878 Automata and Androides (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Automata and Androides)

Entertainment at St Andrews Hall, Newman-Street, to provide St Pancras Poor with Christmas Dinners (engraving)
1596334 Entertainment at St Andrews Hall, Newman-Street, to provide St Pancras Poor with Christmas Dinners (engraving) by Jellicoe

Striking and Automaton Lion Clock, c. 1640 (gilt-brass & ebony)
automata, timekeeping, metal, animals, clocks, ornate, lion, striking, clock, horology, machines, animal, lions, machine, mechanical, automatons, automaton, rampant, 3587681

The Magician or Illusionist Automaton, 1890
XOT366592 The Magician or Illusionist Automaton, 1890 by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; French, out of copyright

Maskelyne and Cookes Automata at the Egyptian Hall (engraving)
1621592 Maskelyne and Cookes Automata at the Egyptian Hall (engraving) by Wilson, Thomas Harrington (fl.1842-86) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

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

Automata newsboy and flower girl 1887
Aut-omata aut nullus, erected by the anti-street Brawling association, to replace newsboys and flower girls. Date: 1887

Jewelled vari-coloured gold-mounted and enamelled egg on plinth
3618040 Jewelled vari-coloured gold-mounted and enamelled egg on plinth, incorporating a clock and an automaton, 1902 (gold, silver, enamel, seed pearls & precious stones) by Faberge

"The Elephant Clock"from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical
3615926 " The Elephant Clock" from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari, 1315 (ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper) by Islamic School

Jacques de Vaucanson (1709 - 1782) French inventor, notably of automata; here, he astonishes his servant with a mechanical flute-player

Maskelyne & Cooks automata performing in London Maskelyne & Cooks automata
Maskelyne & Cooks automata perform at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London. Date: 1878

Concert Mecanique, invented by M Richard
A Concert Mecanique invented by Monsieur Richard and demonstrated in the Royal Library. It consists of three automata, playing keyboard, violin and cello

Tin-plate Toys & Automata - Lewis's Department Store
Tin-plate Toys & Automata - Christmas Circus - Lewis's Department Store, Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Date: 1920s

Water clock with automated figures, from Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical
XIR182444 Water clock with automated figures, from Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by Al-Djazari, 1206 (vellum) by Islamic School, (13th century); Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul

Maillardets automaton: an drawing and a verse produced by the doll. Date: 18th century

Automaton from Dresden
Interior of an early 19th century robot from Dresden, constructed in 1810 by an engineer called Kaufman. This mechancial trumpeter can blow the Saxon tattoo, and at the time of this photograph(1929)

Portrait of Christopher Pinchbeck
Undated head and shoulders mezzoprint portrait of Christopher Pinchbeck by Isaac Whood. Pinchbeck (c.1670 - November 18, 1732) was a London clockmaker and maker of musical Automata

Boy performing with small puppets
Undated coloured illustration of a boy performing with small puppets watched by a gentleman with two ladies, entitled " Les petites Marionettes". HPG/8/2/1 (xxx)"

Automaton mandolin player
An automaton mandolin player who taps her foot while playing, attributed to Jacques de Vaucanson, a French inventor

Vaucansons Automata
JACQUES DE VAUCANSON French inventor, notably of automata; here, he astonishes his servant with a mechanical flute-player Date: 1709 - 1782

Jacques De Vaucanson
JACQUES DE VAUCANSON French inventor of textile machinery, also of automata including The Duck shown in this picture

Three musical automata, including a Japanese lady with a parasol, and a banjo player

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"Unveiling the Marvels of Automata: A Glimpse into the World of Mechanical Wonders" Step back in time to the Schoolboys Own Exhibition of 1929, where an extraordinary Automaton mesmerized audiences with its lifelike movements. Delve into the realm of illusion as Maskelyne & Cook's Automaton from Psycho captivated viewers with its eerie presence and uncanny abilities. Transport yourself to Ouistreham, Normandy in 1939 through a captivating tempera painting on gesso prepared panel, showcasing a fascinating automaton that once graced this picturesque town. Witness the ingenuity of Beverly Chichester's creation - "Man Pumping Water, " a remarkable automaton from circa 1937 that brought mechanical artistry to life. Explore an enchanting engraving titled "Automata and Androides, " offering a glimpse into a world where machines mimic human actions with astonishing precision. Experience heartwarming entertainment at St Andrews Hall in Newman-Street, where an automaton performance aimed to provide Christmas dinners for the less fortunate residents of St Pancras. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship displayed by a striking and elegant Lion Clock dating back to c. 1640, crafted from gilt-brass & ebony - truly a testament to human creativity and engineering prowess. Be enchanted by "The Magician or Illusionist Automaton" from 1890, which enthralled audiences with its seemingly impossible tricks and illusions during performances at various venues across Europe. Immerse yourself in history as you explore Maskelyne and Cooke's Automata at the Egyptian Hall through an exquisite engraving capturing their magical allure within this iconic London venue. Discover Authropoglossos St. Jamess Hall on Piccadilly, where visitors were transported into another world filled with wonderment thanks to ingenious automatons designed for amusement and entertainment purposes.