Tiny Collectible Automata

Lots of miniature collections start with the Believe It Or Not miniature. I remember being amazed when the coffee bean full of miniature carved ivory elephants was produced from an elderly friend's china cabinet. This long tradition of the amazing miniature is continued by Laurence and Angela St.Leger. I first saw one of their creations at a miniature automata museum in London many years ago. It was a souvenir I regretted not bringing home, and the first chance I got, I purchased one to be given pride of place in my china cabinet for when small (ghoulish) friends come over.

Who can resist something that takes off a head so convincingly any time you want? It was very hard to choose which amazing toy to purchase from this ever growing collection. If I had a dentist or doctor friend I know which I'd choose. I may be persuaded to buy a flapping seagull the next time I come across one. You can never have too many unbelievably tiny toys.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.