Unknown Manufacturer (USA) - Dancing Doll Clockwork Automaton - Spielzeug mit Aufziehwerk - 1880-1889 - USA

Here is an extraordinary mechanical automaton up for auction. The automaton is approximately 25 cm tall. The jointed wooden mannequin with fabric clothing sits on a push rod, which is driven by a winding motor inside the chest – via a key winder – the original key is included. Inside the chest is a slip of paper with the following inscription: --"Patented 23 September 1873""-- I have never seen such an automaton in my worldwide search. It is certainly a unique piece. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any information about the manufacturer. However, based on the slip of paper, I assume it was made in the USA. The automaton could also be described as a prototype of the Lehmann tin toy.