Featured Gyrating Shadow Lantern

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Snowman Cometh, Jul 22, 2024.

  1. Snowman Cometh

    Snowman Cometh Well-Known Member

    Months ago I rented the 1926 silent movie "The Adventures of Prince Achmed". It's one of the first (if not the first) full length animated feature. Only it's not drawn, it was scizzor cuttings. This movie was made by Lotte Reiniger, and besides the two men that helped with filming, she did all the cuttings herself. I'm pretty sure they said it took 3 years. That's the same amount of time it took Disney to create Snow White, only he had a slew of animators working for him. If you haven't seen Prince Achmed, it's well worth the effort to see it. There's quite a few good versions on youtube.

    What does the movie have to do with Gyrating Shadow Lantern? It's basically a pyramid toy from the late 1800s (I've seen 1875 - 1879) that casts shadows of the figures on the pyramid onto 4 different screens that you place around it. Very similar to Prince Achmed.

    I don't usually pay a lot for anything. But, when I saw this set up in the antique store cabinet, I wanted it, immediately. I talked them down a hundred, and it was still expensive. I'd never seen one before, and while it didn't sell at auction, a German auction house had the starting bid at $2500. I paid a fraction of that.

    These are a few photos of it. If I don't put the screen fully around it, it spins. Once the screen is fully in place it stops. It must have to do with air flow.

    It's just so COOL!
    upload_2024-7-22_15-32-36.jpeg
    upload_2024-7-22_15-32-58.jpeg
    upload_2024-7-22_15-33-24.jpeg
    I have to try and make a decent video, once I find out how to position the screen so it continues to spin.
     
    Snowman Cometh, Jul 22, 2024
    #1 + Quote Reply
    kentworld, mirana, bosko69 and 9 others like this.
  2. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    Amazing! I love it

    Can't wait to see the vid
     
    sabre123, Jul 22, 2024
    #2 + Quote Reply
    mirana, Marote, Snowman Cometh and 2 others like this.
  3. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    What a marvelous thing. Items like this are why we get into antiques!
     
    Ghopper1924, Jul 22, 2024
    #3 + Quote Reply
    mirana, Aquitaine, Marote and 2 others like this.
  4. cxgirl

    cxgirl Well-Known Member

    OMG, what a fabulous item @Snowman Cometh, great score for you (I'm so jealous). I saw one many years ago and passed on it as the price was high, I've regretted it ever since. Can't wait to see the video:)
     
    cxgirl, Jul 22, 2024
    #4 + Quote Reply
    aaroncab, mirana, Aquitaine and 3 others like this.
  5. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Reminds me of the "shadow caster" on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
     
    2manybooks, Jul 22, 2024
    #5 + Quote Reply
    Snowman Cometh likes this.
  6. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    Wow! Incredibly cool. If you manage to make a video we would love to see it! :singing:
     
    Lucille.b, Jul 22, 2024
    #6 + Quote Reply
    Ghopper1924, mirana and Snowman Cometh like this.
  7. bosko69

    bosko69 Well-Known Member

    Incredible-That type of wonderful piece is why I also got into antiquing !
     
    bosko69, Jul 22, 2024
    #7 + Quote Reply
    Ghopper1924, mirana and Snowman Cometh like this.
  8. kentworld

    kentworld Well-Known Member

    I would like to see a video, too!
     
    kentworld, Jul 23, 2024
    #8 + Quote Reply
  9. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    judy, Jul 24, 2024
    #9 + Quote Reply
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Gyrating Shadow
Forum Title Date
Antique Discussion Large White Jade Figures in a Shadow Box -Help! Jan 29, 2022
Antique Discussion What is this? Obviously old, religious - shadowbox? Icon? Age? Feb 26, 2021
Antique Discussion THRIFT STORE FIND - FRAMED SHADOW BOX w/VINTAGE SPEEDO SWIM TRUNKS & CAP? Dec 29, 2019
Antique Discussion Chinese shadowbox Mar 2, 2019
Antique Discussion 4 ORIENTAL SNUFF BOTTLES IN SHADOW BOX DECOR OR COLLECTION? Feb 18, 2019

Share This Page