A scatch built automaton diorama of two Victorian girls in a garden

A scratch-built automaton diorama of two Victorian girls in a garden

early 20th century

the glass dome enclosing a garden scene, one girl on a swing, the other holding a bird, at their feet a dog, a ladybird and a cat, the black painted base with gilt roundels and a winding handle which makes the girl swing, the dog and snake to raise their heads and the other girl to raise her arms

height 44cm width 25cm depth 25cm

Condition: Some minor losses to the paint and gesso at the front edges. The mechanism operates OK.

From a private museum collection.