Mechanical Sand Toy manufactured in England around 1860, 2 acrobats performing on the trapeze, based on the French acrobat Jules Leotard (1830-1870) the inventor of the flying trapeze act.
The box needs to be turned twice to the right before being put down on a table, the acrobats will then start performing. The box is filled with sand which, when it is turned, will fill a funnel above a wheel which will be set in motion when the sand trickles down as the toy is put down.
In superb condition, fully working, 20 cm x 25.5 cm x 9.5 cm or 8" x 10" x 3 3/4".