Robert Race, b. 1943, What we Saw on Yonder Hill, a wall mounted hand-operated automaton, wood, plywood, driftwood, brass, iron, nails, paint, titled What we Saw on Yonder Hill¸ signed and dated 1997 to reverse, the front marked USHERS, 7-55, and with oval trademark for YONDER HILL SAW MILLS CHARD JUNCTION & LONDON, approx. 22cm high, 35cm wide, 17.5cm deep; together with two other hand-operated automata by the same artist, comprising: Jumping Watchdogs, wood, painted wood, coloured cord, approx. 14cm high, 33cm wide, 18.5cm deep; and Three Men in a Box, wood, painted wood and plywood, painted Three men in a box to front of base, approx. 11.5cm high, 16cm wide, 9.5cm deep (3)

Sir Nicholas Goodison noted:

What we Saw on Yonder Hill: The two dancers are mounted on levers and move in a circular tango-like motion, their heads protruding from the top, their hands from the sides and their feet from the bottom, as they pursue their ordered routine. The title of the piece derives from the impress of the sawmill that made the Ushers beer crate forming the front.

Jumping Watchdogs: A blow on the coloured knob send the watchdog leaping forward, another brings him back into a crouching position. The three dogs are not quite apocalyptic, but they have sharp teeth.

Three men in a box: The three levers, which can be pressed one at a time or in pairs or all together, raise Jerome K. Jeromes Three Men in a Boat, all dressed in boating costume and adorned with period moustaches. The wood looks suspiciously like teak, a wood much used in boatbuilding.

Provenance:

What we Saw on Yonder Hill: Purchased, Hitchcocks, Bath, May 1997.

Jumping Watchdogs: Purchased, Robert Race, Bradford on Avon, March 1993.

Three men in a box: Purchased, Museum of Naïve Art, Bath, November 1991.

Note: Robert Race, b.1943, exhibits his moving toys, automata, and kinetic sculpture in Britain and internationally.He is a member and past Chairman of the British Toymakers Guild. His work often incorporates a wide range of natural, re-used, and recycled material to make objects which move in simple but interesting ways.

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