Walter Ruffler - Bremen Town Musicians

Paper automata have a long tradition, dating back to the 19th century. Today paper modelling is enjoying a renaissance. More and more people have discovered a love for building these little works of art, as the models can be built in a few hours, but bring delight for many hours thereafter.

The donkey hits the keys tirelessly - as long as the sand lasts, while his colleagues look over his shoulder.

The mechanical sculpture is powered by a "sand motor". In the upper part of the stage there is a sand funnel from which fine bird sand trickles onto a lever like an egg timer. Under the weight of the sand, the lever folds down and at the same time the front legs are raised. The front legs and levers are connected to each other using toothpicks as a pivot axis. The sand slides down from the inclined lever, the lever folds up again - the donkey's hooves fall onto the keyboard.

Items you will need to provide - a pair of scissors, a craft knife, a ruler, glue (white school glue is fine) tweezers, and some fine sand. 

Suggested for ages 12+These are challenging kits to construct, and will take a good few hours!

The kit comprises 3 A4 sheets of cardboard.