Glossary Archives - Antique Automatons

Black Forest Automatons

Antique Automatons — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:17:52 +0000

Black Forest Automatons. Black Forest woodenware was carved from the 1800’s by Swiss wood carvers. Some of the most renown carvings are the Black Forest bears but some carvers also made automatons which could be in the form of clocks or simply moving wooden toys. Despite the name, these carvings were not made in the Black Forest but in Switzerland and usually made from linden, maple or walnut trees.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique Black Forest automatons including two whistler automatons and an organ by Bruder.

A very fine third quarter of the 19th century, dated, Black Forest brass-inlaid walnut automata clock depicting a drinker on a barrel with four automata functions
Retailed by Camerer Kuss & Co, 522, Oxford Street, W.C., LONDON. The barrel dated 1865.

Sold for £7,650 at Bonham’s in 2022

Two German Black Forest Carved Whistler Automatons
late 19th century
the first automaton marked “Germany” and the movement marked “Made in Germany”; the second automaton signed with tag “Max Andres, Uhrenfabrik, Schwenningen N. Wttbg” and the movement marked “Germany”
19 1/2 x 6 x 3 1/2 inches (largest)

Sold for US$950 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2022

Waldkirch Automaton Organ by Bruder, c. 1860
Black Forest, barrel organ, playing 8 melodies, with 22 clavis and 1 bar clavis, 4 optional stops, fourteen carved and painted moving figures (Napoleon on horseback, money collector, African tribal chief with child on his shoulder, four figures with birds on a perch, a dance circle with conductor and various other figures), inlaid and veneered case with hinged front, embossed brass sound fret and inner lid with tune sheet, barrel wd. 19 1/3 in., case dimensions ht. 20 1/2 x wd. 23 3/5 x dp. 13 in., figures over painted, good restored playing condition.

Sold for €45,000 at Auction Team Breker in 2021

Rare Black Forest Carved Automatron Dwarf Jewelers

Black Forest 13 1/2” by 13” Carved Wood Automaton. In the form of a wedding ring factory with gnomes making gold rings. Comes with motor and light. Very Good condition

Sold for US$10,000 at Fox Auctions in 2021

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Enamel

Antique Automatons — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 08:27:16 +0000

Enamel is made of melted glass, often on metal. Sometimes called vitreous or porcelain enamel, it is made by fusing powdered glass to a base by firing, usually between 750 and 850°C (1,380 and 1,560°F). The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable coating on metal, or on glass or ceramics.

It has been used on decorative objects for two or three thousand years, but especially in the Middle Ages in Europe. In the 19th century, it was used on everyday objects such as kitchen equipment and road signs. The glass is hard-wearing, scratch resistant and easy to clean. Reference: Wikipedia

Enamel is often used for watch and clock faces. Below are some examples of enamel automatons including an enamel frog and an enamel musical automaton necessaire.

A SILVER KEY WIND OPEN FACE JACQUEMART AUTOMATON QUARTER REPEATING POCKET WATCH Date: Circa 1820
Movement: Gilt full plate, pierced and engraved balance bridge, 3-arm balance, silver regulation
Dial: Central white dial, black Arabic numerals, black minute markers, set within outer blue enamel surround with engraved automaton Jacquemart figures striking on two bells, blued steel Breguet style hands
Case: Engine turned round, reeded band, push repeat via stem, No.1192, 8521
Size: 56mm.

Sold for £ 4,462 (US$ 5,543) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

A CONTINENTAL ENAMELLED GOLD MUSICAL AUTOMATON AND TIMEPIECE CASKET
THE CASKET, 19TH CENTURY; THE AUTOMATON, CIRCA 1920
Rectangular case on four paw feet, chased with scrolling foliage and musical trophies, each panel set with an enamel plaque, on the cover Apollo and his lute, signed ‘L’ on the bottom right, the sides with musical instruments, the interior revealing on one side, a circular enamel panel featuring a lakeside view, with three vari-colour gold automaton figures of a putto, helped by his mother, dance to the music of a lute player, and on the other side a rectangular panel with an enamel dial with landscape view above in beaded oval frame, on an engine-turned ground enamelled in deep blue, with original key
4 1⁄4 in. (108 mm.) wide

Sold for GBP 27,500 at Christie’s in 2021

Gold Hunting Case ‘Automaton 1/4 Hour Repeater’ Pocket Watch
Lever-set, push button, double hammer, 1/4 hour repeater, guilloché dial, subsidiary seconds dial, 2 angels ringing a bell, angel playing a string instrument, silver & gold-tone spires on a green enamel and engine-turned background, dia. ap. 59.6 mm., gilt-movement, front cover missing.

Sold for $2,812 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2018

Antique Karl Griesbaum singing bird box. A rectangular automaton hand-painted box with polychrome enamel. Featuring romantic landscape scenes painted within medallions, flanked by blueand cream-white enamel and gilded decoration. The top with an artist’s rendition of Jean-Honore Fragonard’s The Swing (1767). Inside the hinged top is a red-feathered bird, who signs and moves from side to side, fitting into a pierced ovalgrille. Mechanism activated by push button. Inset square clock face with gilt metal numerals, marked Gubelin, Swiss. Impressed marks to underside, maker’s mark obscured, probably EB for Emil Brenk, METALL. German, late 19th / early 20th C.

Sold for CA$4,200 at A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals in 2022

A yellow gold minute repeater hunting case watch with automaton and enamel dial, Circa 1900

Sold for 75,600 HKD in 2022

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Brass

Antique Automatons — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 13:30:18 +0000

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve varying mechanical and electrical properties. Brass has long been a popular material for decoration for its bright gold-like appearance.

The high malleability and workability, relatively good resistance to corrosion, and traditionally attributed acoustic properties of brass, have made it the usual metal of choice for construction of musical instruments whose acoustic resonators consist of long, relatively narrow tubing. Next to the brass instruments, the most notable use of brass in music is in various percussion instruments, most notably cymbals, gongs, and orchestral (tubular) bells (large “church” bells are normally made of bronze). Small handbells and “jingle bell” are also commonly made of brass. Reference: Wikipedia. Many of these instruments can be found in automatons in miniature form.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique automatons made from brass including a brass table ornament in the shape of a ship and a table clock with a dog automaton.

A GOOD LATE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH AUTOMATA NOVELTY CLOCK WITH HELICAL SPRING
Guilmet, no.1050
Realistically modelled on a lighthouse with glazed head, turned balustrade, brickwork corners, windows and a door, on a stepped slate base and brass feet, the dial mounted in the first floor window with Roman numerals and blued steel spade hands, the movement with square plates bearing the Guilmet trademark with deadbeat Brocot style escapement, striking the hours and half hours on a coiled steel gong, with pendulum constructed from a pierced brass cylinder mounted to the top with a helical hairspring visible through a facetted glass sleeve. Together with an associated winding key. 59cms high

Sold for € 10,837 (US$ 11,151) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

George III Ebonized and Brass-Mounted Automaton Clock by Spencer & Perkins, London
The 7 1/4-inch dial with flower-painted center, two-train four-pillar movement with signature dial Spencer & Perkins / London above a scene of workers making barrels flanked by trellises with grape clusters, with elaborately engraved backplate, the ebonized case with domed top, brass-mounted sound frets and corner finials, brass female herm canted corners and frets to the sides, raised on scrolled feet. Height 27 inches (68.6 cm).

Sold for $4,687 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2019

BLUE ENAMELLED BIRD CAGE MUSIC BOX WITH STAND

This is a very elaborate singing bird automaton in a heavy brass cage with enamel detailing, jewels, brass filigree, and a small demure bird with a big voice. Playing flawlessly and with a cloth covered stand. The detailing on the bird box is impeccable, and it is very well made. The age of this bird box is unknown and most likely dates to the late 20th century.

Sold for US$3,200 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2022

A lacquered brass and painted tôle automaton clock, English, composite

2¾-inch silvered dial beneath an aperture with automaton forge scene, the associated and earlier two train fusee movement with anchor escapement, shaped plates and rack striking on a bell, the rectangular case with brass carrying handle and painted to the front and sides with naive rural coaching scenes, on brass bracket feet

28cm 11in high; 19cm 7½in wide

Sold for 630 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2022

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Musical Automatons

Antique Automatons — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 15:49:55 +0000

A music box or musical box is an automatic musical instrument in a box which produces musical notes by using a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique (French for “chimes of music”). Some of the more complex boxes also contain a tiny drum and/or bells in addition to the metal comb. Reference: WikipediaMusical movements are sometimes incorporated into automatons.

Below are some examples and price guides of musical automatons including a Theatrical Puppet Opera and a Banjo Player by Gustave Vichy

A CONTINENTAL ENAMELED GOLD MUSICAL AUTOMATON AND TIMEPIECE CASKET
THE CASKET, 19TH CENTURY; THE AUTOMATON, CIRCA 1920
Rectangular case on four paw feet, chased with scrolling foliage and musical trophies, each panel set with an enamel plaque, on the cover Apollo and his lute, signed ‘L’ on the bottom right, the sides with musical instruments, the interior revealing on one side, a circular enamel panel featuring a lakeside view, with three vari-colour gold automaton figures of a putto, helped by his mother, dance to the music of a lute player, and on the other side a rectangular panel with an enamel dial with landscape view above in beaded oval frame, on an engine-turned ground enamelled in deep blue, with original key
4 1⁄4 in. (108 mm.) wide

Sold for GBP 27,500 at Christie’s in 2021

Jean-Pierre Camus Musical Automaton Theatrical Puppet Opera
With seven costumed figures, including the puppet master, winding key signed REUGE MUSIC; affixed brass tag plate signed Camus. Height overall 25 1/2 inches; width 21 1/2 inches, depth 19 1/4 inches.

Sold for $693 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2021

Gustave Vichy
(French, 1839-1904)
Banjo Player Musical Automaton

circa 1895
signed with metal tag
paper mache head and hands, brown glass eyes with articulated leather eyelids, wiry black hair, carton torso
19 x 17 x 9 inches

The movement depicts the man turning his head from side-to-side, then blinking his eyes, teasingly sticks out his tongue and peacefully strums the banjo. As to signal that the performance is ended, he raises his strumming hand high in an elegant sweep and sticks out his full tongue to signal the finale.

Sold for US$5,500 at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in 2022

A troika musical automaton of a painted wood horse-drawn sled, Russia, late 19th / early 20th century

realistically carved, on a painted wooden base, a moving troika with a driver and two passengers riding through a winter landscape, with bells chiming, the base hollow and fitted with wind up mechanism to set the troika in motion, with two keys and fitted cogs for activation

length 111.3 cm; 43⅝in.

Sold for 378 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2021

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Silver Automatons

Antique Automatons — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 09:50:33 +0000

Silver has long been valued as a precious metal and has a brilliant white metallic luster that can take a high polish which is so characteristic that the name of the metal itself has become a color name.

A silver object that is to be sold commercially is, in most countries, stamped with one or more silver hallmarks indicating the purity of the silver, the mark of the manufacturer or silversmith, and other (optional) markings to indicate date of manufacture and additional information about the piece. In some countries, the testing of silver objects and marking of purity is controlled by a national assayer’s office.

Hallmarks are applied with a hammer and punch, a process that leaves sharp edges and spurs of metal. Therefore, hallmarking is generally done before the piece goes for its final polishing. Reference: Wikipedia

Some elaborate automaton has created in silver and is often gilded to give the effect of gold. Below are some examples of silver automatons including a silver and gilt copper elephant automaton.

Below are some examples and price guides of silver automatons including a Fabergé silver rhinoceros and a silver figural bird box.

A SILVER KEY WIND OPEN FACE JACQUEMART AUTOMATON QUARTER REPEATING POCKET WATCH
Date: Circa 1820
Movement: Gilt full plate, pierced and engraved balance bridge, 3-arm balance, silver regulation
Dial: Central white dial, black Arabic numerals, black minute markers, set within outer blue enamel surround with engraved automaton Jacquemart figures striking on two bells, blued steel Breguet style hands
Case: Engine turned round, reeded band, push repeat via stem, No.1192, 8521
Size: 56mm
Accompaniments: Key

Sold for £ 4,462 (US$ 5,300) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPRESSIVE IMPERIAL SILVER RHINOCEROS AUTOMATON
BY FABERGÉ, ST PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1909
Naturalistically shaped as a rhinoceros, the oxidised silver body finely cast and chased to simulate the coarse texture of the rhinoceros’ skin, the head and four legs attached to the body with screws, moves on wheels, nodding its head and moving its tail, with the original silver winding key, apparently unmarked; in the original silk and velvet-lined wood case stamped ‘Fabergé St Petersburg Moscow London’ beneath the Imperial warrant
2 7/8 in. (7.4 cm.) wide

Sold for GBP 704,750 at Christie’s in 2017

LARGE STERLING SILVER FIGURAL BIRD BOX AUTOMATON.

A beautiful sterling sliver figural bird containing a singing bird automaton, a phenomenal piece of workmanship. The figural bird stands on its feet, and when the knob on the side is pulled, the smaller bird appears from a compartment in its back, entertains for about 15 seconds, and then disappears back into the compartment. The overall piece has a great patina, including glass eyes on the pigeon. Works perfectly. The age of this automaton is unknown. Condition: (Excellent). Dimensions: 11″ x 3 – 1/2″ x 7 – 1/2″.

Sold for US$8,000 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2022

A PARCEL-GILT SILVER SINGING-BIRD BOX, FRANCE, CIRCA 1880

rectangular, the lid, sides and base engraved with foliage and bunches of flowers on guilloche ground, the cover centered with an enamelled miniature representing a lady wearing a hat, the mechanism opening on automaton bird with multicolor feathers, singing and moving, within fitted case

Sold for 2,250 USD at Sotheby’s in 2019

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Gold Automatons

Antique Automatons — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:05:29 +0000

The earliest recorded metal employed by humans appears to be gold, which can be found free or “native”. Small amounts of natural gold have been found in Spanish caves used during the late Paleolithic period, c. 40,000 BC. Gold artifacts made their first appearance at the very beginning of the pre-dynastic period in Egypt, at the end of the fifth millennium BC and the start of the fourth, and smelting was developed during the course of the 4th millennium. Reference: Wikipedia

Some of the most elaborate and valuable automatons are made from gold. Below are some examples and price guides of antique gold automatons including a Continental casket timepiece and a musical watch key.

Manuel Mota, Santiago. A 14K gold keyless wind minute repeating jacquemart full hunter pocket watch with automaton
Date: Circa 1880
Movement: Gilt finish Swiss lever, compensated balance, wolf’s tooth winding, fly ball governor, two polished hammers striking on a gong
Dial: Eccentric white, black Arabic numerals, gilt outer minute dot divisions, subsidiary seconds at 6, gilt Louis XV style hands, green guilloché enamelled background, two gilt female figures striking twin bells resting on foliage
Case: Polished hinged with engraved foliate decoration throughout, No.96243
Signed: Cuvette
Size: 52mm

Sold for £3,825 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

A VERY UNUSUAL 14CT GOLD AND ENAMEL AUTOMATON SINGING BIRD BOX overlaid with gold swags and vines. 690 grams. 10 cm x 7 cm.

Sold for £10,000 at Hannam’s Auctioneers Ltd in 2021

A RARE GOLD AND ENAMEL MUSICAL AUTOMATA WATCH KEY

CIRCA 1830

• Movement: gilded, disc plucked by two combs each with six tines, a plate above carrying the motion work for the automata figures, twice numbered to the top plate ?68, possibly 86?, the number repeated to the backplate

• Case: gold, red and turquoise enamel border, one side with vari-coloured enamel floral centre and chased gold flowers and leaves, the other with polychrome enamel love garden view inhabited by dancing figures on a bow-swing, with wire-work winding bow, flanked by two gold nude figures

Sold for 20,000 CHF at Sotheby’s in 2020

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