Tableau Mécanique Automaton of a Blacksmith's Forge by Tharin

Description:

Tableau Mécanique Automaton of a Blacksmith's Forge by Tharin, c. 1860, the hand-colored scene depicting French Gothic interior with six figures, four at the anvil, two shoeing a horse observed by a terrier, with working paper bellows, tools on racks and scattered in the foreground, a central arch to a painted bucolic view of church and houses with lake and mountains beyond, in giltwood frame with corner spandrels, scrolls and flowers, and three-air cylinder movement driving pinned wheels and pulleys causing three of the figures to beat their hammers, the fourth to pump the bellows, and the terrier to wag his tail, overall ht. 19 x wd. 20 1/2 in., six movements.

Note: The Blacksmith's Forge was a popular subject for Tharin, produced in several sizes and combinations, with variations in the view through the arch, the presentation, and the driving train, but always with the same figures and movements. Tharin's mechanical pictures were retailed in London by Silber and Fleming, and described in their catalogue as a "very effective Mechanical Piece representing a Smith's Forge, with decorated cardboard figures. Two men making horse-shoes, one man shoeing horse, one man blowing bellows, which work in a very natural manner; the horse and dog moving their heads and tails. The whole piece in wooden case with richly gilt and black frame, with glass in front, playing two airs of music. Six pounds, 15 shillings". The smaller size makes this example particularly unusual.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

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