Large and very heavy automaton sculpture. The fish revolves on a wind up mechanism pushing the ghost and the brass £ sign. The eyes and jaw are operated with a pull wire giving a sinister smile to the articulated jaw and cedar wood eyes. Carved by hand out of oak and various other materials, hand stained and painted. A piece for the serious collector or someone with a unique and oblique sense of humour. It weighs about 15 kilograms, so I will be happy to deliver within a 50 mile radius of Leicester for an additional premium of £20. Overseas buyers, please request postage charge, which due to weight and fragile nature, would be substantial.
Additional information: The construction of the mechanism is not aesthetically pleasing, as you can see from the photos, and the movement is achieved through a pull wire attached to a hand made tension spring constructed from one piece of thick steel. The movement thus is not fluid, but has a jarred and quirky feel to it. The item really is a grotesque but substantially unique carving which will appeal to someone for whom the unusual appearance is more important than the function. I would rather answer questions or supply additional photographs rather than disappoint any prospective buyer. A video of this automaton is also available on request.
See video of the automaton at work below: