Friday Fun: An Animated Scene by Jean-Marie Phalibois

Another work by Phalibois--
a monkey-like fisherman

Jean-Marie Phalibois (born 1835) began his career in the cardboard industry. However, he soon began producing simple scenes encased in glass. These scenes featured automata which worked in conjunction with music boxes. Soon, the scenes became increasingly complex and ornate with figures which were able to reproduce intricate movements.

After a time, Phalibois began creating complicated free-standing automata. After his retirement in 1874, his son took over the family business.

This intriguing scene of a monkey magician is typical of Phalibois' early work.