Neil Hardy, Early Bird, a hand-operated automaton, wood, painted wood, plywood, painted...

Neil Hardy, Early Bird, a hand-operated automaton, wood, painted wood, plywood, painted plywood, brass, painted brass, wire, nylon, spring, approx. 22cm high, 22cm wide, 12cm deep; together with two others by the same artist, comprising: The Complex Language of Animals No.2, a hand-operated automaton, wood, wire, brass, leather, cotton thread, signed and dated Neil Hardy 94, approx. 29.5cm high, 45cm wide, 9.5cm deep (a/f); and Patent Pooch, wood, painted wood, wire, spring, signed and dated Neil Hardy '01 to underside, approx. 35cm high, 15.4cm wide, 10cm deep (3)

Sir Nicholas Goodison noted:

Early Bird: The bird has found a promising yellow worm flecked with black. As it pulls at it, the doors at the front open, triggered by the worm, which is the tigers tail, and the tiger lunges at the bird, pushing aside the trap door on which the plant grows. The bird doesnt fly away, knowing there is to be a repeat performance. In fat it never releases the worm. During the performance oval placards rise behind the action, inscribed in turn with what the other birds (right and left in turn) say: Damn. Theres Eddy always getting there before us, Ive a feeling that aint no worm, Mmm…This could be mildly interesting and Holy Cow. Is this for real or is it one of those new fangled automata. On the doors another oval is inscribed The early bird nearly catches it.

The Complex Language of Animals No. 2: The moose move their antlers up and down in turn, conducting a sort of semaphore, while the three meerkats, perhaps a little surprised by what they see on the tundra, turn to left and right in unison like a Wimbledon audience watching them.

Provenance:

Early Bird: Purchased, Hitchcocks, Bath, November 1997.

The Complex Language of Animals No. 2: Purchased, Neil Hardy, at British Toymakers Guild Fair, January 1995.

Note: Neil Hardy worked as an architect for 13 years before becoming an automatist.His creations have been exhibited internationally, including in Japan, Australia, and Germany.His work is imbued with a sense of fun and whimsy, and he always uses animals to create amusing sculpture.

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