Adams & Co. Legacy and Estate Services

Up for auction is a vintage, hand-carved wooden figural automaton depicting a classic hobo or "drunk whistler" leaning against a streetlamp. This piece is beautifully executed in the traditional Black Forest style, closely matching the iconic designs of German master carver Karl Griesbaum. The character is full of personality, detailed with a carved trench coat, slouch hat, and a pocket bottle. The back features the original access door panel enclosing its mechanical clockwork chamber, an integrated winding key hole with operational directional etching, a start/stop toggle lever, and a mesh acoustic sound window. The lamp post is wired internally to illuminate the translucent panes of the overhead lantern. Condition Details: • Carving & Finish: Excellent aesthetic condition with rich wood tones, crisp chisel marks, and minimal surface wear. • Mechanics: The mechanical winding key and key mechanism are currently missing, leaving the inner clockwork untested. • Electrical: The lamp cord has been cut flush at the bottom base and will require rewiring to function. • Hardware: Back panel screws are missing, but the wooden access plate stays seated properly. This is a fantastic restoration candidate or a striking decorative folk art display piece for collectors of Black Forest wood carvings, vintage barware, and mechanical music boxes. Please review all photos carefully to evaluate the condition and completeness before bidding.