Originally offered at $300...

Western Europe, Northern Italy & Germany / Austria, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A collection of 3 antique mechanical wood figural corks and wood and iron bottle corker tool. The corker is hand operated using a wood plunger with a metal tip and an opening in the center for inserting the cork. The body also comes apart in the center to clean or access the inner chamber. The puppet corks are stamped "ITALY" on the stopper end and are probably from the Anri workshop - each with arms that articulate via a cord or tab on the verso. Please note that these corks are not intended for use with the corker tool! Size (corker tool): 12.5" L x 2.5" W (31.8 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#173046

Italy marking on cork stoppers is faint and rubbed. Arms articulate, the green hat figure's left arm does not move. Surface wear and losses to pigments. Corker tool is intact with wear and patina to metal plunger tip. Not recommended for use.