I have had the recent privilege of working on a very peculiar singing bird box by Rochat. So far my inquiries have not revealed any knowledge of this particular Rochat box. The 18k vari-coloured gold engine turned diamond adorned box houses three gilt mechanisms, including chain fusée and cylindrical bellows for the singing bird automaton, [...]
Category: Automata
2è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game – Condition report by Ségolène Girard
Restoration of a 19th c. lottery game by M.J & Cie. 2è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game - Condition report by Ségolène Girard Seg is speaking ! It has already been a year since the day I introduced this lottery game to my teacher. I have to say it was a pretty exciting day, [...]
Sinking Shanty
I thought I would share this rather interesting story, conservation at its best. Watch the the video below to hear the tune played by a 19th century pig, while the RMS Titanic sank to the cold Atlantic floor.
1è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game – Introduction by Ségolène Girard
Restoration of a 19th c. lottery game by M.J & Cie. 1è Partie. A French Horse Racing Game - Introduction by Ségolène Girard Seg is speaking ! Last summer, preparing for my second year specializing in paper conservation, I had to find a few engravings or flat objects to work on. But I enjoy brain-teasers; [...]
The Silver Swan
My favourite object in the world is called The Silver Swan automaton. I learned about it when my (then future) tutor Matthew Read was leading and overseeing a host of conservation works being performed on it. I had the opportunity to assist him with some regular maintenance to this amazing object - as well as [...]