Philo of Byzantium, and Heron of Alexandria, to whom we always have to have recourse when we desire accurate information as to the mechanic arts of antiquity, both composed treatises on puppet shows. That of Philo is lost, but Heron’s treatise has been preserved to us, and has recently been translated in part by M. Victor Prou.
FIG. 1.—THE SHRINE OF BACCHUS. FROM AN OLD PRINT.
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According to the Greek engineer, there were several kinds of puppet shows. The oldest and simplest consisted of a small stationary case, isolated on every side, in which the stage was closed by doors that opened automatically several times to exhibit the different tableaux. The programme of the representation was generally as follows: The first tableau showed a head, painted on the back of the stage, which moved its eyes, and lowered and raised them alternately. The door having been closed, and then opened again, there was seen, instead of a head, a group of persons. Finally, the stage opened a third time to show a new group, and this finished the representation. There were, then, only three movements to be made—that of the doors, that of the eyes, and that of the change of background.
FIG. 2.—THE SHRINE OF BACCHUS. MECHANISM FOR
DELIVERING WINE AND MILK. FROM AN OLD PRINT.
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