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Add to wishlistMechanical hand painted tin toy: A Fernand Martin (France) clockwork automaton from 1899. "La Blanchisseuse"
EUR 2.300,00Category: Antique Tinplate Mechanical Toy Figures
A Fernand Martin (France) clockwork automaton, "La Blanchisseuse"19th. century. 20 cm.clockwork.They are crude in one way and sophisticated in another. Martin''''''''s genius was to observe everyday people and transform them into toys. Many times toys are made for children but with adults in mind. The subtleties would be lost on a child. This is an early toy figure of a drunkard, with painted face, grey top hat with the Martin mark, a bottle and cup, with permanent key, black metal feet, check trousers and plain tunic (some wear and tear). Made to walk with a stagger and periodically take a drink, has survived remarkable well. See F.Marchand,L''''''''Historie des Jouets Martin,Paris 1987.
