Circa 1890, France, a very rare mechanical, an automaton as a bearded man, a clock with porcelain dial in his belly, with his raised arm holding a tube where a match would be placed. When clock would strike a certain hour his arm would be released to act as a striker, the force causing the match to light when it makes contact with the metal strip. The top of the hat is the receptacle for the matches, made in France, in working order, very good condition with good patina, height 10" (25.4 cm)