Lot 207
"St. Dennistoun Mortuary" Coin-Operated Automaton, attributed to Leonard Lee, c. 1900, the mahogany cabinet and glazed viewing area displays a Greek Revival mortuary building with double doors and grieving mourners out front, when a coin is inserted, doors open and the room is lighted revealing four morticians and four poor souls on embalming tables, the morticians move as if busily at work on their grisly task and mourners standing outside bob their heads as if sobbing in grief, ht. 30 1/2, wd. 24, dp. 17 1/4 in.
Estimate $4,000-6,000
This is spectacular. It is so wrong that it is incredibly right!
Posted by: Jen Alien-Spouse | June 19, 2012 at 01:05 PM
I know! It's so oddly cute and morbid at the same time.
Posted by: Megg | June 19, 2012 at 01:16 PM