DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1311#0021
12 THE GREAT EXHIBITION
Prussia.—The principal toys in the Prussian department were those of pewter from
Berlin, hy G. Sohlke; the principal example being a representation of the review at
Windsor, on the occasion of the visit to England of the Emperor of Russia,, who was
portrayed among the numerous figures which this well-executed model contained.
Besides this specimen, there were several miniature dinner and tea services, also cast in
pewter. A. Eleischmann, of Sonnenberg, sent a "Philharmonic Chandelier." This
very humorous production represented M. Jullien, in the centre at the top, with the
performers of his band seated round the circles of the candelabrum, in a great variety of
quaint and expressive attitudes, their features and varied action being portrayed with
much skill and humour. The same contributor also exhibited a Comic Chandelier, re-
presenting one of the incidents in Swift's celebrated romance, when Gulliver wakes in
the country of Lilliput, and finds himself "unable to stir." "As I happened/' he con-
tinues, " to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each
side to the ground, and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same
manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to.
my thighs." Such an incident afforded ample scope for the imagination of the artist,
and he proved himself quite equal to the undertaking. There was much humour evinced
in the expression and action, of the Lilliputians, some of whom were bold enough to
push their inquiries so far as to pry into Gulliver's waistcoat pockets, a piece of
temerity which was nigh costing one philosophic-looking individual his life. Others
of the natives were, however, far more cautious, and mounted, in fancied security,
upon the branches of trees, which Gulliver might have blown down with a breath, where
they contented themselves with a more distant view: others, again, preferred trusting
to the ground and their own legs, and some were already on the start at the first
signs of waking on the part of the man-monster; a few slow, dull-headed individuals,
not knowing what was taking place, were climbing up on his body, whilst others were
precipitately sliding down; and even the Lilliputian horses seemed to have their pre-
sentiment of danger, and were becoming unmanageable.
Saxony contributed but a few toys and busts made in pewter. Yet, in 1846, there
were 697 manufacturers of wooden toys, who employed 1,520 workpeople.
Switzerland, so famous for its carved white-wood toys, did not exhibit any of these
articles, and therefore might be considered as unrepresented in this branch of manufac-
ture. M. Atjdemars, however, exhibited a beautiful little pistol, weighing only half a
grain, and so small that it required a microscope to bring out its details. When it
was magnified about twenty times linear, all the various parts might be distinctly seen,
and they then appeared beautifully formed and perfect in their polish. Every part,
indeed, was as complete and perfect as it is to be found in an ordinary percussion-
pistol, so that the lock acted when the trigger was pulled. T. E. Battote, of Geneva,
received a prize medal for a Paper-weight of gold, the base being ornamented with scenery
painted in enamel. From this a stem ascended, and was surmounted with a small casket
which opened and closed by means of clock-work. When the cover was turned back, a
most beautiful and perfect little bird was discovered, which was apparently singing, and
at the same time fluttering its minute wings, and twirling about in different directions.;
As soon as the song was finished the box closed. The bird was scarcely three quarters
of an inch long, yet was most life-like in the details of its construction and its move-
ments, and its warble was perfectly suited in compass to its size. The manufacture of
such minute pieces of mechanism is most valuable training for the watchmaker, and
they are therefore deserving of encouragement.
United Kingdom.—Considering the vast quantity of toys manufactured in the United
Kingdom, the contributions that were exhibited were very inadequate. The only exhibi-
Prussia.—The principal toys in the Prussian department were those of pewter from
Berlin, hy G. Sohlke; the principal example being a representation of the review at
Windsor, on the occasion of the visit to England of the Emperor of Russia,, who was
portrayed among the numerous figures which this well-executed model contained.
Besides this specimen, there were several miniature dinner and tea services, also cast in
pewter. A. Eleischmann, of Sonnenberg, sent a "Philharmonic Chandelier." This
very humorous production represented M. Jullien, in the centre at the top, with the
performers of his band seated round the circles of the candelabrum, in a great variety of
quaint and expressive attitudes, their features and varied action being portrayed with
much skill and humour. The same contributor also exhibited a Comic Chandelier, re-
presenting one of the incidents in Swift's celebrated romance, when Gulliver wakes in
the country of Lilliput, and finds himself "unable to stir." "As I happened/' he con-
tinues, " to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each
side to the ground, and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same
manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to.
my thighs." Such an incident afforded ample scope for the imagination of the artist,
and he proved himself quite equal to the undertaking. There was much humour evinced
in the expression and action, of the Lilliputians, some of whom were bold enough to
push their inquiries so far as to pry into Gulliver's waistcoat pockets, a piece of
temerity which was nigh costing one philosophic-looking individual his life. Others
of the natives were, however, far more cautious, and mounted, in fancied security,
upon the branches of trees, which Gulliver might have blown down with a breath, where
they contented themselves with a more distant view: others, again, preferred trusting
to the ground and their own legs, and some were already on the start at the first
signs of waking on the part of the man-monster; a few slow, dull-headed individuals,
not knowing what was taking place, were climbing up on his body, whilst others were
precipitately sliding down; and even the Lilliputian horses seemed to have their pre-
sentiment of danger, and were becoming unmanageable.
Saxony contributed but a few toys and busts made in pewter. Yet, in 1846, there
were 697 manufacturers of wooden toys, who employed 1,520 workpeople.
Switzerland, so famous for its carved white-wood toys, did not exhibit any of these
articles, and therefore might be considered as unrepresented in this branch of manufac-
ture. M. Atjdemars, however, exhibited a beautiful little pistol, weighing only half a
grain, and so small that it required a microscope to bring out its details. When it
was magnified about twenty times linear, all the various parts might be distinctly seen,
and they then appeared beautifully formed and perfect in their polish. Every part,
indeed, was as complete and perfect as it is to be found in an ordinary percussion-
pistol, so that the lock acted when the trigger was pulled. T. E. Battote, of Geneva,
received a prize medal for a Paper-weight of gold, the base being ornamented with scenery
painted in enamel. From this a stem ascended, and was surmounted with a small casket
which opened and closed by means of clock-work. When the cover was turned back, a
most beautiful and perfect little bird was discovered, which was apparently singing, and
at the same time fluttering its minute wings, and twirling about in different directions.;
As soon as the song was finished the box closed. The bird was scarcely three quarters
of an inch long, yet was most life-like in the details of its construction and its move-
ments, and its warble was perfectly suited in compass to its size. The manufacture of
such minute pieces of mechanism is most valuable training for the watchmaker, and
they are therefore deserving of encouragement.
United Kingdom.—Considering the vast quantity of toys manufactured in the United
Kingdom, the contributions that were exhibited were very inadequate. The only exhibi-