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Antique German Organ Grinder Monkey Automaton Recknagel Bisque Head c1900

Regular price: £99.99
Sale price: £99.99
Regular price

A wonderfully characterful early 20th-century mechanical automaton depicting a travelling organ grinder with his performing monkey.

The figure has a German bisque head with fixed amber glass eyes, finely painted lashes and brows, delicately blushed cheeks and an open painted mouth. The back of the neck is impressed with the markings:

24
Germany
R 10/0 A (final character slightly unclear)

These markings are consistent with a Theodor Recknagel mould 24 bisque head. Recknagel was a German doll manufacturer active from the late 19th century and supplied bisque heads for a variety of dolls and novelty figures.

The organ grinder retains his dark brown wig and is dressed in a brown velvet coat and cap with dark trousers. Suspended from his shoulders is a small wooden barrel organ with incised decorative detailing, a metal winding crank with wooden handle and a mounted performing monkey. The figure stands on a circular wooden display base. 

When wound, the mechanism operates and the monkey rotates. The movement is presently intermittent and sporadic rather than running consistently, so the automaton is being sold as partially working and likely requiring adjustment or servicing.

An unusual and highly decorative antique mechanical figure, combining a German bisque doll head with an early automaton mechanism and traditional organ-grinder subject.

Condition

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Size/Dimensions

Overall height approximately 30 cm.

Condition

In genuine antique condition with wear throughout consistent with age and use.

The bisque head is in good display condition with general surface marks and age-related wear. The facial painting and glass eyes remain particularly attractive. The wig is somewhat sparse and untidy in places.

The brown velvet clothing has rubbing, fading, dust and general age-related wear. The cap shows creasing and wear to its surface and the peak has slipped slightly from the band at the front. The hands and shoes have considerable deterioration and losses.

The wooden organ has surface wear, marks, scratches and small losses, together with wear to its decorative finish. The monkey is heavily worn with significant losses to its surface and facial detail.

The mechanical movement winds and does operate, with the monkey rotating, but operation is sporadic and inconsistent. We have not attempted to adjust or service the mechanism and cannot guarantee continued operation. It should therefore be regarded as requiring attention.

The circular wooden base has general age-related wear and retains green felt to the underside.

Early 20th century, circa 1900–1920.