Odd Monkey-Fascination to Be Explored at Museum

The word is singerie  (san-jah-ree) and what it means is the depiction of monkeys in high-class attire behaving like humans. 

People all over the world were captivated by this idea in the 18th and 19th centuries and depicted it on everything from drapery fabrics to figurines.

They also created wind-up figures, called 'automata' such as those displayed in the Guinness Collection at the .

On Thurs., June 23 at 7:00 p.m., the museum will  hold an event billed as "Monkey Business: a look at our simian friends through 19th century art, including Automata from the Guinness Collection."

"Step back in time and join Guinness Collection staff to re-discover "Singerie", the French word that captures and indentifies the public's fascination throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with aristocratically attired monkeys!

 Participants will enjoy a live demonstration of rare Monkey Automata from the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection during this one hour program, taking place in the Guinness Resource Center.  

Admission is $7 for members, $9 for non members. Seating is limited. Call 973-971-3720 to register.