Cork Automata

Tim Rowett has a large number of items in his collection that he labels 'drinker's requisites' - although some of them are more fun than necessary.

First up is a piece of Italian glass blowing. A wine glass and a wine bottle. Except not only is the glass inside the bottle, the base of the glass is part of the base of the bottle. Not sure how you drink out of the glass - a long straw maybe! Possibly just an item to leave out to puzzle and amuse your guests!

Then we see a range of traditional wooden toys, attached to a cork, ready to pop into your bottle of wine. In addition to looking pretty, when you animate them, normally by moving a lever at the back, they perform a fun action. There is the kissing couple, a man who very politely raises his hat, etc.

Hand carved and hand painted in Germany and the Tirol, these old fashioned cork automata have great charm.