German Mechanical Toys

   Many early German toys came in three or more sizes.  This must have certainly been the largest of these German cage mechanical toys.  It is very common to find this type toy with barnyard animals - especially roosters in small sizes; but the scale and wild animal of this piece makes it very unusual.

   Upon pressing a lever on the side of the cage, it releases the board underneath the lion which snaps forward, pushing open the wooden gates.

   The hide-covered lion has glass eyes.  When the mechanism is released to open the doors, the force of the movement triggers the lion's mouth to open and close in a roaring fashion.