Automat - Life-Size Automaton - Blackbeard Pirate
15
days
09
hours
24
minutes
43
seconds
Current bid
€ 35
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Sean Devitt
Worked 12 years at a major UK auction house valuing and curating toys.
Estimate € 550 - € 650
 | €35 | |
|---|---|---|
| €30 | |
| €25 | |
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Life-Size Automaton - Blackbeard Pirate, a vintage, wood-handled electric figure from France, measuring 155 cm high, 50 cm wide and 110 cm deep, in fair used condition but tested and working.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Provenance: The Jean Pierre Speidel Collection.
An imposing and impressive electric automaton representing the famous pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, depicted seated on a wooden barrel. This life-size figure exudes a striking stage presence, perfectly capturing the legend of the fearsome buccaneer. He sports the iconic pirate attire: a tricorn hat adorned with emblems, a long, dark, aged-looking coat, a wide belt, boots, and his famous thick black beard that gives him his nickname. In his hands, he holds his favourite accessories, likely a sword, pistol, or cutlass, contributing to the atmosphere of the golden age of piracy. Thanks to its integrated electric mechanism, this automaton is designed to move and captivate the viewer, making it an ideal piece for immersive interior decoration, themed events, shop windows, or even a traveling museum. It displays a patina and signs of wear typical of exhibited collector's items, highlighting its authenticity and retro charm. Rare in its size and theme, this automatic Blackbeard is an essential centrepiece for enthusiasts of antique automata, collectors of theatrical objects, or lovers of maritime culture and pirate tales.
See the following link to view a video of this working item -
https://youtu.be/jKpY-5rPvY0?si=qld3doeItkmIGqzU
Provenance: The Jean Pierre Speidel Collection.
An imposing and impressive electric automaton representing the famous pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, depicted seated on a wooden barrel. This life-size figure exudes a striking stage presence, perfectly capturing the legend of the fearsome buccaneer. He sports the iconic pirate attire: a tricorn hat adorned with emblems, a long, dark, aged-looking coat, a wide belt, boots, and his famous thick black beard that gives him his nickname. In his hands, he holds his favourite accessories, likely a sword, pistol, or cutlass, contributing to the atmosphere of the golden age of piracy. Thanks to its integrated electric mechanism, this automaton is designed to move and captivate the viewer, making it an ideal piece for immersive interior decoration, themed events, shop windows, or even a traveling museum. It displays a patina and signs of wear typical of exhibited collector's items, highlighting its authenticity and retro charm. Rare in its size and theme, this automatic Blackbeard is an essential centrepiece for enthusiasts of antique automata, collectors of theatrical objects, or lovers of maritime culture and pirate tales.
See the following link to view a video of this working item -
https://youtu.be/jKpY-5rPvY0?si=qld3doeItkmIGqzU
Details
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Life-Size Automaton - Blackbeard Pirate
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
France
Material
Wood
Style
Vintage
Colour
Beige, Black, Red
Physical condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
155 cm
Width
50 cm
Depth
110 cm
Functional condition
Tested and working
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