Antique French Toy Automaton Mechanical Walking Cat Roullet Decamps Fur
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:98850 |
Up for auction is a nice mechanical cat, likely made by the French toy maker Roullet et Decamps.The cat is in excellent condition. He stands on all fours and is covered in black fur. The fur is full and intact all over his body, with the exception of some loss around where the key is inserted. He has a long fur tail, glass eyes, paper mache nose and mouth, wheels on his feet, and is sporting a yellow ribbon around his neck with a bell that looks to be original. He comes with a key that... you insert on a post on his side. There is also an on/off lever under his tail. When the key is wound and the lever “on” he walks along on his wheeled feet, swishes his tail back and forth, opens and closes his mouth and emits a squeaking meow sound. Quite a lot of movement for a toy that is 100+ years old. (The strength of his walking depends on the surface he is on.)All in all this is a delightful toy that would make a great addition to any cat or mechanical toy collection.Please contact me with questions. Thanks for looking.
