A complex windmill, watermill, dual locomotive and rocking ship musical automaton,

Circa 1880

Restored.

A rare diorama of movement and travel...

When wound and the start/stop rod actuated, the action begins immediately, with the windmill sails and waterwheel rotating, as the ship in the lagoon bobs up and down beneath the first of two locomotives with carriages which cross the viaduct above.

The Paillard cylinder tabataire movement with string wind action, playing two very melodic traditional airs, direct-drive wheel for dual cord runs which loop through the back and up to run the pulleys for the windmill, watermill, train conveyor wheel and reciprocating rod bar for the ship in the lagoon, the body of pine panel with card and paper and plaster craft work for rocky shore, boathouse gable, watermill house, windmill and viaduct, naturalistically painted and textured with Icelandic moss, pine needles and flower highlights, train locos and carriages of painted card, beautifully woodblock printed and coloured complete with passengers and coloured wool chimney smoke bellowing, on ebonised oval wood base containing movement, dome groove present.

size - 18in. wide, 8in. deep, 15in. high to chimney, (46 x 20.2 x 38cm)

Point of interest -

With so much happening in such a small area, your eyes are spoilt for choice when it comes to looking at all the detail and all the moves. 

The first train appears from behind the windmill, carrying the passengers across the viaduct to disappear behind the boathouse, followed soon after by the goods train which does the same thing.  Windmill sails rotating slowly as the force of the water turns the watermill blades and the gentle bobbing of the rigged ship at full sail sets the scene. 

And all possible with paper and plaster.  These diorama automatons are rare for that very reason - fragility.  Set today as some of the rarest automatons, this five-point movement example is a must-have to fulfil pure 19th century evening entertainment. 

Everything you see here is unique and hand created and positioned.  From the individual tiles on the windmill roof to the tiny wheels of the trains.  Amazing.