Sunday, January 19, 2014

Antique German Tin Clockwork Clown Toy

Pictures don't do this toy justice: it is truly a beautiful thing. Circa the 1890s-1900s, it was most likely made in Germany, and is of painted tin with a clockwork mechanism (no longer working.)




Spotted in the cluttered corner of a toy show table, it was quite a find even in its non-working condition. The little six inch clown still charms, even with his chipped paint. His delicate construction and soft colors are very appealing, all the more so for how well they have lasted over the past 100 plus years.


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6 comments:

  1. joeSunday, January 19, 2014

    It's a great piece of history, but clowns always scared me....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TracySunday, January 19, 2014

      I've seen a clown similar to this one, but it's on all fours, and it crawls toward you when wound up. Now THAT'S scary:

      http://www.aubreysantiques.com/clowntoy1nov17-2011.jpg

      Delete
    2. joeMonday, January 20, 2014

      Yeah that is scary

      Delete
  2. LindaMonday, January 20, 2014

    This puts me in mind of Lon Chaney's clowns in silent films. Great piece.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LizzieThursday, January 23, 2014

    I wonder how bright the colours were when he was made? I do love the faded look though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. GadgetSponge.comSunday, May 04, 2014

    A beautiful artifact of toy past. So glad it's in your hands to be loved and preserved.

    ReplyDelete