Saturday, November 6, 2010

The Tympanum Player

Marie-Antoinette's android.
This famous android was a collaborative effort by two Germans. Clockmaker Peter Kintzing created the mechanism and joiner David Roentgen crafted the cabinet; the dress dates from the 19th century. Automatons were in circulation and aroused much curiosity. Roentgen probably sent the tympanum to the French court and Marie-Antoinette bought it in 1784. The queen, aware of its perfection and scientific interest, had it deposited in the Academy of Sciences cabinet in 1785. The tympanum is a musical instrument that plays eight tunes when the female android strikes the 46 strings with two little hammers. Tradition has it that she is a depiction of Marie-Antoinette.
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5 comments:

P. M. Doolan said...

I wonder was Roentgen related to the Roentgen who inevented the x-ray machine?

elena maria vidal said...

I don't know but it would be worth looking into!

Julygirl said...

Fascinating!

lara77 said...

The fact that Her Majesty the Queen deposited this remarkable work of art with the Academy of Sciences probably ensured its survival over the centuries. If it had been left at Versailles the savages of the republic would have sold it to the highest bidder!

elena maria vidal said...

It shows the queen was interested in science, quite unlike the usual portrayal of her.