Replica of the Moisse Molteni Fantascope Skeleton Illusion, c. 1

Constructed by Mike Bartley, painted by James Tamblin, the final model in a series of six, based on an illusion from c. 1820. Animated figure for opaque phantasmagoria projection, with carved bone head, painted wood ribcage, fabric cowl, articulated jaw and metal arm operated by concealed wires on ebonized t-frame, the figure concealed behind polychrome-painted metal sarcophagus with hinged lid, height of the figure 2 ½ in. (6 cm), sarcophagus height 4 ½ x width 7 ¼ in. (11,5 x 18,5 cm), with instructions and box. - Note: The original Moisse Molteni Skeleton from 1820 is one of four 3D illusions (a bust of Voltaire, a winged death's head and a grim reaper by Alfred Molteni. Not only is the Moisse Molteni skeleton an intriguing mechanical illusion, a visual artefact and a cultural reference object of its time, it is also an important link between moving projected images and the dawn of cinema. - Reference: Auction Team Breker, 29 September 2018, Lot 628.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)