Day 200 - Automaton
November 18, 2019
Gallery 540 contains an assortment of small 18th century objects - porcelain snuff boxes, a porcelain and bronze assemblage depicting a bird and a Chinaman (I kid you not- that's how the label reads), a mother-of-pearl and gold box fitted with a thimble and other items for sewing - and, incongruously, a small but fine portrait of a young man by Rubens (Maybe it was part of a collection willed to the Met under the condition that all the heirlooms be exhibited together?)
Most of the items come from the German states or from Russia. The object that intrigues me, however, was made n England around 1760-1770 and is descibed as an "automaton." About 16 inches long, perhaps 6 inches at its highest point, and made of gilt bronze inlaid with brilliants, it shows an elaborate chariot being drawn by four spirited horses, presumably in a triumphal procession. Three warrior figures wearing plumed helmets and equipped with swords ride the chariot: another two men are mounted on the horses. I can't tell what period the figures represent- they're clearly not contemporary, but neither are they classical. Since they're essentially symbolic, perhaps precision of time period is unimportant.
It's all very finely wrought, but what arouses my curiosity is what is meant by an "automaton." Did the chariot move on its own, or could it be moved? And if it did move,what happened - did the horses' uplifted forelegs come down and strike the ground? What a nice toy to be rolled around by the object's original owner, whom I imagine to have been a wealthy adult, indisputably male. Even if the chariot was stationary, its owner must have taken pleasure in its artistry.
Most of the items come from the German states or from Russia. The object that intrigues me, however, was made n England around 1760-1770 and is descibed as an "automaton." About 16 inches long, perhaps 6 inches at its highest point, and made of gilt bronze inlaid with brilliants, it shows an elaborate chariot being drawn by four spirited horses, presumably in a triumphal procession. Three warrior figures wearing plumed helmets and equipped with swords ride the chariot: another two men are mounted on the horses. I can't tell what period the figures represent- they're clearly not contemporary, but neither are they classical. Since they're essentially symbolic, perhaps precision of time period is unimportant.
It's all very finely wrought, but what arouses my curiosity is what is meant by an "automaton." Did the chariot move on its own, or could it be moved? And if it did move,what happened - did the horses' uplifted forelegs come down and strike the ground? What a nice toy to be rolled around by the object's original owner, whom I imagine to have been a wealthy adult, indisputably male. Even if the chariot was stationary, its owner must have taken pleasure in its artistry.
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