Late 1800’s to Early 1900’s German Man Ringing Bell Wind-Up Automator with Paper Mache Base

This is a one-of-a-kind handmade automator. Wind the key and the man (head made of hard composite material) rings the bell by pulling on the rope. When tested, the winder mechanism works sporadically when the flywheel is released. The bell rings well. The base, made of painted paper mâché has many gaps on one end and numerous cracks but the painted base does show that the toy is indeed very old and was made by hand. 

The man bell ringer is dressed in his original outfit and his hands gripping the ropes appear to be made of lead. This automator says I’m old, handmade and I am ready to ring the bell again. A very delicate toy.