Tony Mann, 1927-2013, Bird Plane, a hand-operated automaton, painted wood, wire, feather, paper, signed and dated Tony Mann '00, incised number 63 to the plinth, approx. 21.2cm high, 22cm wide, 19.7cm deep; together with three other pieces by the same artist, comprising: Squawking Bird, hand-operated automaton, plain and painted wood, wire, feathers, plastic squawk-box, signed and dated Tony Mann '93, approx. 24.5cm high, 20.5cm wide; 5.7cm deep; Rocking Bird, wood, wire, feather, approx. 26cm high excluding feather; and another Rocking Bird, c.1992, wood, wire, feather, approx. 14cm high excluding feather (4)

Sir Nicholas Goodison noted:

Bird Plane: the bird, with its pronounced tail fin, flies on, giving any passengers a rocky flight. It enjoys Tony Manns usual taste for bright colours and feathers. Sundry ephemera are stuck to the wings, fuselage and base plinth to give a sense of livery and travellers occupation.

Squawking Bird: This brightly coloured bird is worthy of David Attenborough in Borneo, but it also squawks. It is best seen when it starts from a sitting position with closed beak, from which, with the help of the lever, it rises, opens its beak and squawks if the operator remembers to press the plastic squawk-box under its rump.

Provenance:

Bird Plane: Purchased, Tony Mann, January 2000.

Squawking Bird: Purchased, Tony Mann at British Toymakers Guild Fair, Chelsea, London, January 1995.

Rocking Bird: Purchased, Kristin Baybars, 7 Mansfield Road, London) May 1991.

Rocking Bird c.1992: Purchased, Tony Mann, June 1993.

Note: Tony Mann, 1927-2013, worked for 20 years as an industrial designer before turning his creative energy into automata. Each is a one-of-a-kind piece and show his love of bright colours.He was voted Toymaker of the Year by the British Toymakers Guild for both 1987 and 1988.

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