Acrobat – Monsieur Leotard

A sand operated automaton of the famous acrobat Monsieur Leotard. Made to celebrate his fame over 150 years ago. The acrobat performs for up to 10 minutes a series of impressive twirls and stands in a hypnotic routine that is never the same twice. In exceptionally good condition the wooden case houses the sand wheel and glass bearings that enable the fine card figure to perform. Approximately 10x8x4 inches. The sealed box is wound by turning the box clockwise once.

Monsieur Leotard inspired the music hall song “He flies through the air with the greatest of ease, that daring young man on the flying trapeze” and also gave his name to the skimpy outfit the ‘Leotard’.

A completely intact survivor made in the 1860’s with a perfectly balanced entertaining performance.

His full mesmerising performance is up to 10 minutes long. The only sound accompanying it being a few creaks of the trapeze and a faint whoosh whoosh of the sand spraying from the mechanism backstage.

VIDEO OF PART OF HIS PERFORMANCE

Price: SOLD

For more information on the Monsieur Leotard Sand Automaton please see our youtube film on SAND POWERED AUTOMATA