58-INDI
The Indian head is sculpted in porcelain kiln fired, then hand painted. The hair is synthetic and eyes are fixed from inside the hollow head. The hands are fired porcelain, the rigid body made of Fiberglass. Access to the motor, allowing head movement, is from under the clothing. The clothing is made from felt, shoes are of felt and cardboard. Braid, feathers and glass beading is used. This mechanical character doll is truly unique and a “one only” in the world. It was standing beside an Indian chief in a scene from a Christmas Window Display in 1990 in the major retail store MYER Melbourne. See page 101 of the book called “Making Magic”; Myer Stores Ltd produced a book of their Christmas Window Displays of 40 years. (ISBN 0 646 29501 2). From 1984 until 1990 Margaret Dawson produced 6 Christmas Window displays each year for the Myer Store thus creating 42 original scenes in total. Original mechanical dolls from 1989 Alice in Wonderland and 1988 Pinocchio sets of the Myer Christmas Windows are now owned and in the possession of the Melbourne State Museum. Each mechanical doll is driven by a 240 volt French Cruzet motor driving cams and push rods.
