A SILVERED BRONZE, ENAMELED SILVER AND GILT-BRONZE ELEPHANT AUTOMATON CLOCK
AUGSBURG, CIRCA 1600-1610
The clock is in the form of an elephant, with a howdah in the form of a castle tower, with four turbaned soldiers with raised scimitars which rotate around the tower, there are two enameled dials and two glass dials through which the clock works are visible, the elephant’s eyes move and he is accompanied by two mahouts, one riding on his back and a second walking alongside, all on a naturalistically-cast ground on a silver-mounted ebony and ebonized pearwood veneered base over an oak carcass, which encloses further mechanics which propel the automaton forward in a slight circle, the works are currently partially non-functioning

Sold for USD 2,610,000 at Christie’s in 2021

Unusual Elephant with Rider and Mahout Musical Manivelle Automaton
Germany, maker unknown. Bristle-mohair-covered papier-mâché elephant with articulated head and trunk, rider and a mahout with painted bisque heads marked with anchor and initials “L.C.”, glass eyes and carved wood limbs, dressed in jackets and turbans (not removed for inspection), on paper-covered base with hand-turned musical movement causing the elephant to nod and the rider to nod while the mahout turns his head and raises a stick

Sold for €900 at Auction Team Breker in 2020

BEAR WINDOW DISPLAY AUTOMATON. This is an electric window attention-getting commercial display with a bear balancing a package on its nose. When plugged in, the bear moves, and the package spins. A great motion display for a children’s play area, or repurposed to a commercial application. Condition shows some areas of wear due to use, however it is in great original condition and comes with its original shipping box.

Sold for US$425 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2022

Wooden Musical Bear Organ Grinder Automaton circa 1900 – the bear playing an organ and has a basket on its back, stands on a natural form base
8 1/4 in. high.

Sold for US$750 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2021

Automaton Jester & Bear
Early 20th century. Porcelain bisque head.
Ht. 20 W 8 in. Sold for US$800 at Cottone Auctions in 2020

Roullet & Decamps Drinking Bear Automaton. Paris, ca. 1940s. Electric bear automaton, brown and white fur with composition nose, feet, and mouth, glass eyes. Bear performs the action of pouring liquid from the bottle into the cup, then raises to his mouth, lowers and repeats. Height 13”. Nice functioning example with soft and clean coat, some chipping to feet and paws but very good overall. Sold for US$700 at Potter & Potter Auctions in 2020

A Very Rare Musical Automaton Clock with Two Tunes Depicting a Monkey Playing a Violin, Hour and Half-Hour Striking, Two-Week Going
Alexandre Nicholas Théroude, Paris (designer), automaton maker, Jean Marie Phalibois, Paris (attributed to), clock movement by Vincenti & Cie, Paris, Circa 1870
Movement: Manual, circular movement with going barrels, anchor escapement with pendulum, count-wheel striking
Dial: Enamel, Roman numerals
Case: Gilt, wood base, a monkey is depicted sitting with violin in hand, under a tree with flowers, the clock at its base, music activating knob in the left side of the base, in front of it tune changing knob, at the right automaton activating knob, domed glass cover, 16 inches width, 20 inches height, 9 inches depth
Signed by: Back stamped with Vincenti’s trademark advertising the silver medal the company won in 1855 Paris Exhibition

Sold for USD 12,500 at Christie’s in 2019

“Bimbo Box” with Seven Mechanical Monkeys – Electrically-driven automaton monkey band with cassette-player music, coin-slot for 50 pfennigs, working, cabinet dimensions 29 ½ x 19 5/8 x 56 in.

Sold for €2,800 at Auction Team Breker in 2022