A collection of hand-operated automata, by Opi Toys (Jane and Sylvie Ryan, Chris...

A collection of hand-operated automata, by Opi Toys (Jane and Sylvie Ryan, Chris Birchley), to include: Pugilists, wood, coloured plywood, metal sheet spring, stamped Opi Toys, approx. 23cm high, 27cm wide; a hand-operated automaton of a jockey jumping over a fence, stamped Opie Toys, approx. 34.5cm high, 18.2cm wide, 14cm wide; Pecking Cockerels, hand-operated automaton, softwood, painted wood, approx. 14.6cm high, 17cm wide, 6.5cm deep; Swimmer, automaton, wood, painted wood, bearing label printed These automata and toys are designed for adult collectors. They are not suitable for children under 12, approx. 7.5cm high, 29cm wide, 4.1cm deep; and four others (8)

Sir Nicholas Goodison noted:

Pugilists: The pugilists, dressed in the kit favoured a hundred years ago, batter and pummel each other when the post between them is depressed and let go. They also clash violently with their noses. The pugilist in the red shirt flails his arms and is better at the uppercut, the one in white goes in for pummelling the body. It all makes you want to give up boxing.

Pecking Cockerels: The cockerels peck in turn as the pins on the revolving drum throw the counterweights beneath each bird backwards. The handle needs to be turned quite vigorously to achieve a full peck.

Swimmer: The toy is activated by rolling it on its nine wheels along the floor. The swimmer rolls on the wheels towards the rather severe looking gull. He can also be persuaded to swim backwards, which is no mean feat. Opi Toys was started by Jane Ryan who studied Fine Art at Chelsea School of Art and moved to West Cornwall in 1988. She began making simple mechanical toys for grown-ups, often using reclaimed wood and painted wood. All her pieces are one off, no two are the same. There have been recurrent themes over the years which reflect her seaside home, gardening and food. She has always been more interested in decoration and form than mechanics and the toys have very simple mechanisms designed to charm rather than amaze.

Provenance:

Pugilists: Purchased, Opi Toys, at the Craft Fair, Chelsea, October 1991.

Pecking Cockerels: Purchased, Opi Toys, at Craft Fair, Chelsea Town Hall, October 1991.

Swimmer: Purchased, Frivoli, London, November 1994.

Roseberys do not guarantee the working order of any automata or toy.