Pa. German Toy Stamping Mill
1935-1942
Frances Lichten captures the whimsical mechanics of Pennsylvania German folk culture in this realistic watercolor study of a toy stamping mill. A stiff-legged figure in a top hat stands ready to operate a massive wooden mallet, which looms over a wooden animal form held in a vice-like structure. Created during the 1930s and 40s, the piece highlights the ingenuity of early mechanical toys known as automata. These intricate wooden devices were beloved for their moving parts, turning simple carpentry into lively little scenes of industry that mimicked the real world.
- Technique
- Watercolor
Views: 8