Tuesday, December 4, 2018

The Lute Player Lady Automaton

Gianello Torriano 1501-1585. This clockmaker and mechanic made several working small android like machines that emulated people small movements. Mainly the looped actions were prayer, playing an instrument of some kind, along with head, foot and arm movements. All this could be programmed to follow set path and react to bumping a solid object. This made me think of other wind up toys and small clockwork like items. So it seems that the beginnings of this kind of small machine for entertainment is from late renaissance. It’s been an exciting discovery of information for my doll journey.
The particular one I was wanting to possibly recreate  The Lute Player Lady. A woman like doll it is said to move with small tripping steps, strumming the lute with its right hand, and turning its head from right to left. It can advance in a straight line, or follow the path of a circle. She is wearing a golden colored silk velvet gown with scarlet ribbon overlaid with gold bobbin lace. This figure is 44cm tall which is about 17 inches in English system. Made by her creator in the late 1555-1558 for Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor at the end of his life. So this was created in a monastery in Spain, Gianello made amusements for the emperor in his later life.  The lady is notably one of the first automatons. 
Gianello is said to be credited with a monk automaton that strikes his chest and kisses a cross created in 1560. The so called Clockwork Prayer was made of wood and iron, 39 cm in height. A little over 15 1/3 inches in th English system.  Driven by a key-wound spring, the monk walks in a square, striking his chest with his right arm, raising and lowering a small wooden cross and rosary in his left hand, turning and nodding his head, rolling his eyes, and mouthing silent obsequies. Every once in a while, he brings the cross to his lips and kisses it. Amazingly, after some four and a half centuries, the automaton remains in good working order. This is attributed to Gianello Torriano and is housed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. this may be a future field trip.

Sadly the extant item doesn’t work. Attempted to see if there was a video of her on the internet to no avail. She is housed in the Kunstkammer of Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Though there is enough information on the way it moved and a picture of the inner mechanical workings it maybe possible to replicate. I am not good with machines though can easily can make the doll and all the outer decoration. Currently wondering if working some simple systems may allow it to work as noted.  Researching the simple clockwork and see if I maybe able to test a few theories. In the meantime sharing this with my followers some interesting possibilities for future work.

 Blessings to little Discoveries, 
THL Marrin O’Kealy

 Source 1: http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2015/01/amazing-automatons-robots-victorian.html?
m=1
Source 2: https://history-computer.com/Dreamers/Torriano.html
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Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Tudor Q and A

What is a Tudorosity?

A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.

Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.

Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?

I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.

How did you get started in this interesting hobby?

I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.

What is my favorite outfit and why?

It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.

Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?

I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .

How long does it take to make a gown?

It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.

Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?

No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.

How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?

I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio

O’Kealy Heraldry

O’Kealy Heraldry