Information and Price Guide Archives - Antique Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/information-and-price-guide/ Information and Price Guide to Antique Automatons Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:08:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Boy Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/boy-automatons/ Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:08:46 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=558 Boy automatons vary regarding subject matters. Although dolls are more often female, with automatons boys are equally popular and are often paired together with other items or animals. Whistling boys…

The post Boy Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Boy automatons vary regarding subject matters. Although dolls are more often female, with automatons boys are equally popular and are often paired together with other items or animals. Whistling boys or boys playing with dogs or cats are delightful.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique boy automatons including a boy with a singing goose and a musical boy puppeteer.

BOY & SINGING GOOSE MUSICAL AUTOMATON

BOY & SINGING GOOSE MUSICAL AUTOMATON | France, depicts a clown suited French bisque head boy who moves arm and head about like conductor while attempting to conduct a standing goose by music stand, goose raises head and melody emits from the base. | 17.5″ h. | Some age wear to cloth on one box base

Sold for US$800 at Bertoia Auctions in 2023


Musical Manivelle Automaton Carousel, c. 1890

Musical Manivelle Automaton Carousel, c. 1890
Germany, with three boys on horses and three girls in chariots, decorated with wood ball finials on red wire stems, velvet ribbon and silk trim, the riders with bisque heads, molded hair and original costumes, on grained paper-covered base with floral transfer and hand-turned movement playing a single tune as the carousel revolves, height 13 1/2 in. (34 cm), base 8 in. (20 cm) square, overall good original cosmetic condition, missing two chariot wheels, boys and horses missing assorted legs, base slightly bowed, partially operative, mechanism not opened for inspection.



Sold for €750 at Auction Team Breker in 2022


Musical Doll Puppeteer Automaton
Circa 1900

Musical Doll Puppeteer Automaton
Circa 1900. Boy is dressed in period fabric costume with fine lace work and puppeteering a marionette. Head and hands are made from porcelain with realistic features. The figure is standing on a square plinth base containing the musical automaton mechanism. Comes with winding key.
Ht. 19 1/2 in.

Sold for US$1,000 at Cottone Auctions in 2023


fairground organ "La Belle Epoque"

One of a kind fairground organ “La Belle Epoque” by Belgian organ builder Albert Flahaut. Interesting combination with the accdordion boy automaton. The organ has 92 keys, snare and bass drum and a bandmaster. The little boy moves and plays the accordion. Comes with an endless wheel of cardboard music. Organ: 220 x 200 x 120 cm. Accordion automaton: 150 x 85 x 75 cm. Height: 220 cm. Width: 285 cm. Depth: 120 cm. Condition: Very Good.

Sold for €15,000 at Dutch Auction Company in 2023


VICHY MUSICAL AUTOMATON “MANDOLIN PLAYER SEATED ON CHAIR BACK”

VICHY MUSICAL AUTOMATON “MANDOLIN PLAYER SEATED ON CHAIR BACK”. Marks: Tete Jumeau Bte SGDG 4. Seated on the rung of a ladder-back chair is a Jumeau bisque head boy with brown paperweight eyes, painted lashes, closed mouth, shaded and accented lips, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig over cork pate, carton torso with one hinged hip, wire upper arms, bisque forearms and hands, dressed in pink silk-satin costume in the French manner with pink satin shoes and hat with plume, holding a wooden mandolin in his arms. When wound, he turns his head in a nodding circular motion, strums the mandolin and moves his right leg as though keeping time to the music.

Sold for US$2,500 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2022

The post Boy Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
558
German Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/german-automatons/ Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:39:54 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=545 German Automatons. Germany produced some amazing automatons which included singing bird boxes by Karl Griesbaum, cuckoo clocks, doll automatons and many others. Below are some examples and price guides of…

The post German Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
German Automatons. Germany produced some amazing automatons which included singing bird boxes by Karl Griesbaum, cuckoo clocks, doll automatons and many others.

Below are some examples and price guides of German automatons including a silver singing bird box by Karl Griesbaum and a musical piano and violin automaton.

Karl Griesbaum Silver Singing Bird Automaton Box

Karl Griesbaum Silver Singing Bird Automaton Box

German, early 20th century, serpentine form, the case with repousse putti playing musical instruments in a natural landscape, the hinged top concealing the singing bird, ht. 2, wd. 4, dp. 2 3/4 in.

Sold for US$1,920 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023


German wind-up automation singing feathered bird in brass cage

German wind-up automation singing feathered bird in brass cage, features intermittent and continiual switch underside. Measures 9.5″H x 5″W.

Sold for US$360 at C Biddle Auction Gallery Inc. in 2023


Kittens Dancing for the Fiddler - Very Rare Coin Activated Automaton Bank

Kittens Dancing for the Fiddler – Very Rare Coin Activated Automaton Bank

Made by an Unknown German Manufacturer. Produced and Sold in the Early 1900’s.

Sold for US$2,900 at The RSL Auction Company in 2023


German carved and polychromed wood and composition Automation

German carved and polychromed wood and composition Automation – Drunk by Lamppost, fingers broken on left hand, works. 19”h

Sold for US$200 at Rachel Davis Fine Arts in 2023


German hand crank Musical Piano and Violin Automaton

German hand crank Musical Piano and Violin Automaton. Pair of bisque head figures that are well dressed and each playing their instruments. The toy is all original and in very nice condition. When you turn the crank both figures mover properly and the music plays perfectly. A wonderful early Automaton 15 1/2″ Excellent

Sold for US$1,450 at Milestone Auctions in 2023


Automaton monkey clock produced by Junghans

Automaton monkey clock produced by Junghans. German, early 20th century. 1-day spring-driven clock topped with monkey with moving eyes and mouth that open and close as movements tick. Junghans maker’s mark on face of clock. Crystal of face is loose in place. Wear, scratches, and losses to patina and metal. Split and crack to metal on monkey’s head. Key is included. Clock has been wound, with clock running and eyes and mouth slowly opening and closing. Later screw on left side of clock. Back panel of clock is slightly loose.

Sold for US$225 at Willow Auction House in 2023


A turn of the century German Cast Iron novelty clock with Teeter-Totter automaton

A turn of the century German Cast Iron novelty clock with Teeter-Totter automaton, possibly Lenzkirch. 30-hour time only movement. Minor finish wear

Sold for US$950 at Schmidt’s Antiques Inc. in 2023

The post German Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
545
Chinese Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/chinese-automatons/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 06:33:15 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=533 Chinese Automatons. Accounts of automatons in China date from as early as the 3rd century BCE, during the Han dynasty, when a mechanical orchestra was made for the emperor. By…

The post Chinese Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Chinese Automatons. Accounts of automatons in China date from as early as the 3rd century BCE, during the Han dynasty, when a mechanical orchestra was made for the emperor. By the Sui dynasty, in the 6th and 7th centuries CE, automatons had become widespread, and a book titled Shuishi tujing (“Book of Hydraulic Elegancies”) was published. In the Tang period, from the 7th to the 10th century CE, automatons continued to be popular in imperial circles. There are records of flying birds, an otter that caught fish, and figures engaged in numerous activities ranging from a monk begging to girls singing. Reference: Britannica.

Below are some examples and price guides of Chinese automatons including a gilt bronze automaton clock and a fishing boy with his catch.

CHINESE GILT BRONZE, RHINESTONE, AND GLASS AUTOMATON CLOCK

A CHINESE GILT BRONZE, RHINESTONE, AND GLASS AUTOMATON CLOCK
Second half 20th century
Signed Ying Qing C.
height 32in (81cm); width 16 1/2in (42cm); depth 13 1/2in (34cm)

Sold for S$31,562.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2020


AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU, PASTE-SET PAINTED ENAMEL AND ALABASTER AUTOMATON 'FISHING BOY AND HIS CATCH'

AN IMPERIAL CHINESE ORMOLU, PASTE-SET PAINTED ENAMEL AND ALABASTER AUTOMATON ‘FISHING BOY AND HIS CATCH’ WITH CLOCKWORK MECHANISMS
GUANGZHOU WORKSHOPS, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
AUTOMATON: the figure has an alabaster head carved and painted with a sweet expression, with bright eyes and a broad smile below hair worn in two topknots tied with red ribbons, and supported on a carved wood body dressed in a short orange silk jacket with gold braid on the sleeves and fastened at the neck and side with a small gilt-bronze button, over a pair of beige silk pants, and an embroidered shoe, the figure balanced on one knee while holding a bamboo fishing pole in his right hand and a catch basket in his left


Sold for USD 319,500 at Christie’s in 2017


A Chinese export French-style automaton clock

A Chinese export French-style automaton clock
Early 20th century
Signed to mechanism: Cheon S’Nag Comton
Painted and enameled face with Roman numeral hour markers set in a decorative case with pineapple finial, mechanized leaves, tiered rotating figural merchant and animal scenes on four elaborate scrolled feet
Clock: 34″ H x 12.75″ W x 8.5″ D

Sold for US$34,375 at John Moran Auctioneers, Inc. in 2023


Chinese 'Legend of the White Snake' Automaton

Very Rare Chinese ‘Legend of the White Snake’ Automaton
Painted wood, papier maché, enamel, silk and metal in three wood and glass casements raised on a later Hongmu wood stand; fitted with moving figures and animals amongst pavilions in landscapes.

Sold for US$18,000 at STAIR in 2022


SCARCE 19TH C. CARVED WOOD CHINESE AUTOMATON HEAD OF AN ACTOR

SCARCE 19TH C. CARVED WOOD CHINESE AUTOMATON HEAD OF AN ACTOR

Carved and painted wood with inset glass eyes and what was a reticulated mouth but is now fixed in place, in remnants of red paint, used in the theatre and opera, on metal museum display stand, 10″ tall head only, roughly 15″ x 9″ x 8″ overall, well used.

Sold for US$550 at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in 2022

The post Chinese Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
533
Windmill Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/windmill-automatons/ Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:42:53 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=515 Windmill Automatons. Windmills have been in existence since the Medieval times and they have often been incorporated into the design of automatons. They sometimes form part of a scene but…

The post Windmill Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Windmill Automatons. Windmills have been in existence since the Medieval times and they have often been incorporated into the design of automatons. They sometimes form part of a scene but they have also been made as standalone clocks.

Below are some examples and price guides of windmill automatons including a pocket watch with a rural scene and a German diorama.

An exceptional, fine and rare 18K gold key wind open face automaton pocket watch with enamel

An exceptional, fine and rare 18K gold key wind open face automaton pocket watch with enamel, seed pearl and diamond decoration
Date: Circa 1870
Movement: Gilt full plate fusee verge, 3-arm brass balance
Dial: White, black Roman numerals, black outer minute track, winding aperture at 8, gilt hands
Case: Seed pearl set polychrome enamel scene to back depicting a winged putti with an arrow and laurel wreath and a second putti with an injured foot either side of an ornate urn, concealed automaton scene to cuvette with automaton couple moving on a seesaw with the male reaching stone set hanging fruit, in the foreground a finely engraved dog and two sheep rest, in the background an enamel pastoral scene beside a watermill with stone set automaton sails, winding aperture near the fruit tree
Size: 56mm
Weight: 131,00g

Sold for €63,375 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022


An industrial automaton windmill clock

An industrial automaton windmill clock, late 20th century, after a design of Guilmet, the silvered and gilt brass case in the form of a windmill, the partially-silvered clock face with a Roman numeral dial, underneath a silvered barometer dial, with two spirit thermometers on either side, the door concealing the keyhole for the automaton mechanism, on a circular black slate base, 45cm high

Sold for £2,100 at Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers in 2022


A LATE 19TH CENTURY MUSICAL DIORAMA AUTOMATON CLOCK UNDER DOME

A LATE 19TH CENTURY MUSICAL DIORAMA AUTOMATON CLOCK UNDER DOME having a rotating windmill and waterwheel, the enamel dial with Roman numerals fronting an eight-day spring-driven movement under a glass oval dome on gilt moulded plinth (30cm high, 42cm wide.)

Sold for £1,050 at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers in 2021


A 20th century musical diorama with automata

A 20th century musical diorama with automata, the scene contained in a gilt, composition ornamented frame and featuring two sailing ships near a cliff lined coastline, with cottage and windmill on a bluff above the cliffs, and background with painted sky, clouds, and birds, the ships rocking and windmill sails turning accompanied by a two tune cylinder music box when activated by a button at the right side of the frame

Sold for US$275 at Schmitt Horan & Co. in 2021


ERZGEBIRGE MUSICAL VILLAGE CRANK AUTOMATON

ERZGEBIRGE MUSICAL VILLAGE CRANK AUTOMATON

Very beautiful 1900s German Crank Musical Train and Village. Wonderful German diorama of Train going there the Mountains with a Village and Windmill. Very nice details and colors. Looks all original. Turn the crank and music works.

Sold for US$1,600 at Milestone Auctions in 2021

The post Windmill Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
515
Black Forest Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/black-forest-automatons/ Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:17:52 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=500 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…

The post Black Forest Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
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.

Black Forest brass-inlaid walnut automata clock

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

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

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

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

The post Black Forest Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
500
Dancer Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/dancer-automatons/ Fri, 23 Sep 2022 09:26:37 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=488 Dancer Automatons come in many forms such as people or animals. In addition they can form part of another piece such as an automaton theater etc. Below are some examples…

The post Dancer Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Dancer Automatons come in many forms such as people or animals. In addition they can form part of another piece such as an automaton theater etc.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique dancer automations including a coin-activated cabaret dancer and a French bisque dancer with a tambourine.

Rare Coin-Activated Musical Cabaret Dancer Automaton by Edouard-Henry Phalibois

Rare Coin-Activated Musical Cabaret Dancer Automaton by Edouard-Henry Phalibois, c. 1900
Depicting a young woman dancing on a stage, the figure with original paint, brown glass eyes with articulated lids, shapely papier-mache torso and legs, articulated at shoulders, waist, hips and knees, with large brass going-barrel movement with four-winged governor, two-air cylinder movement and five boxwood cams with steel runners causing the figure to bend from the waist, raise her arms in unison and each leg alternately, ht. 29 ½ in. (75 cm), figure 23 ¼ in. (59 cm), with winding ratchet, unrestored partially working condition, coin-trip mechanism partially extant, coin-slot present but disconnected, missing base and case

Sold for €2,500 at Auction Team Breker in 2022


1900, SWISS: A very nice original coin operated railway station box

1900, SWISS: A very nice original coin operated railway station box with 42cm (16 – 1/2″) cylinder playing eight tunes. Four dancers and a mechanical cobbler picture mounted in the back. The cobbler three-dimensional picture is not believed to be original to the station box, but is connected with linkage to the music box and operates as the music plays and the dancers dance.

Sold for US$6,500 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2022


FRENCH BISQUE AUTOMATON “DANCER WITH TAMBOURINE”

FRENCH BISQUE AUTOMATON “DANCER WITH TAMBOURINE” BY VICHY. 17”. Marks: 1300 – 3 Dep, S & H. Upon a tall velvet covered wooden base is a bisque-head doll having blue stationary glass eyes, painted lashes, feathered brows, open mouth, accented lips, upper teeth, pierced ears, blonde mohair wig, carton torso with wire upper arms, bisque forearms and hands, wearing red silk and velvet fitted costume with lace bodice and ivory silk sleeves, red silk slippers; holds a bell-decorated tambourine in her right hand, and wooden stick with tassel; as the music plays she nods her head from side to side as her right hand twists back and forth at the wrist to shake the tambourine.

Sold for US$1,800 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2022


Attributed to Roullet & Decamps, France, a late 19th century "Turkish Dancer"

Attributed to Roullet & Decamps, France, a late 19th century “Turkish Dancer” automaton, with bisque head, shoulder plate and arms, the head signed “Depose Tete Jumeau”, and with pierced ears, blue glass eyes, blond hair, and closed mouth, the figure dressed in colorful costume and shaking a tambourine held in her left hand, her right arm moving up and down from the shoulder, and rocking her head left and right while a tune plays, all on a burgundy velvet covered base with turned feet, containing the clockwork movement and single air music box

Sold for US$2,600 at Schmitt Horan & Co. in 2022


Rare Antique German Automaton Kestner #146 Doll

Rare Antique German Automaton Kestner #146 Doll in Working Condition! Fantastic antique doll automaton, twirls and dances. She measures approximatelty 51 inches tall. Marked Made in Germany N 146 on the back of the neck.

Sold for US$1,800 at Brimfield Antique Shows & Auctions in 2022

The post Dancer Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
488
Singing Birds in Cages Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/singing-bird-in-cages-automatons/ Sun, 10 Jul 2022 09:11:14 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=480 Singing birds in cages are very desirable and collectible. The cages are often made of gilt metal and can contain one or more birds which sing and move.Cages with more…

The post Singing Birds in Cages Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Singing birds in cages are very desirable and collectible. The cages are often made of gilt metal and can contain one or more birds which sing and move.Cages with more than one bird tend to be rarer. Many of them were French or Swiss.

Below are some examples and price guides of singing birds in cages including a 20th century French automaton and a gilt cage containing two singing birds.

A 20th century caged singing bird automaton

A 20th century caged singing bird automaton
probably French, in the 19th century style
the feathered bird with beak head and tail movements mounted on a floral entwined perch, the canted domed cage with knop suspension loop, on foliate mounted conforming giltwood base and bun feet, with crank handle, 53.5cm high overall



Sold for £1,530 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022


Continental Automaton Singing Bird in Gilt-Metal Cage
On a giltwood stand. Height overall 12 inches, width 8 1/2 inches, depth 6 1/2 inches.

Continental Automaton Singing Bird in Gilt-Metal Cage
On a giltwood stand. Height overall 12 inches, width 8 1/2 inches, depth 6 1/2 inches.

Sold for $535 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2021


French Gilt Birdcage Automaton. The wood bottom of the cage is embossed: “Made in France.” The birds open their beaks and turn their heads along with the clear cheeping sound. The bottom of the cage is lined with green felt. 20in. h. x 11in. diam. Condition: Works not warranted, may need care. The bird models are in good/clean condition. The gilt cage is in good condition with light scratches/wear.

Sold for US$2,000 at Turner Auctions + Appraisals in 2022


Bird Automaton with Waterfall

A gilt-bronze double jumping and singing bird musical automaton with waterfall and timepiece in the manner of Jaquet-Droz and Leschot, Swiss, circa 1800

the octagonal cage with finely pierced and engraved cagework and enclosing two painted metal birds with automaton beaks, wings and tails and jumping between branches, to the rear is a revolving glass rod automaton simulating water cascading from a lion’s mouth, the base of the cage containing the automaton movement with chain fusee, a complex series of cams controlling the movement of the birds and their singing, the integral plinth with 1¾-inch enamel dial with regulation sector, the timepiece movement with chain fusee and verge escapement with plain three-arm balance, triggering a further two-tune musical movement with 2¼-inch cylinder and steel comb signed H Capt, the whole with stylised floral mounts, the corners with trophy mounts and the ends with roundels depicting the arts, on paw feet

38.5cm. 15¼in. high

Sold for 100,800 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2020

The post Singing Birds in Cages Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
480
Elephant Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/elephant-automatons/ Sun, 08 May 2022 12:26:25 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=355 Elephants are popular and collectible items in their own right so elephant automatons are particularly desirable. Below are some examples and price guides of elephant automatons including a silvered bronze…

The post Elephant Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Elephants are popular and collectible items in their own right so elephant automatons are particularly desirable.

Below are some examples and price guides of elephant automatons including a silvered bronze and enameled automaton clock and an elephant with a rider.


A SILVERED BRONZE, ENAMELED SILVER AND GILT-BRONZE ELEPHANT AUTOMATON CLOCK

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


Elephant with Rider and Mahout Musical Manivelle Automaton

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

The post Elephant Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
355
Spinning Jenny Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/spinning-jenny-automatons/ Sun, 18 Apr 2021 16:45:35 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=327 Spinning Jenny Automatons. The spinning jenny is a multi-spindle spinning frame, and was one of the key developments in the industrialization of textile manufacturing during the early Industrial Revolution. It…

The post Spinning Jenny Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Spinning Jenny Automatons. The spinning jenny is a multi-spindle spinning frame, and was one of the key developments in the industrialization of textile manufacturing during the early Industrial Revolution. It was invented in 1764 or 1765 by James Hargreaves. [1] It was also a popular subject for automatons, especially those made during the Napoleonic wars.

Below are some examples and price guides of spinning Jenny automatons including an early 19th century Napoleonic French automaton and a mechanized model with colored bone.

[1] Wikipedia


A PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE SPINNING JENNY, FRENCH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

A PRISONER-OF-WAR BONE SPINNING JENNY, FRENCH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY, with articulated head and arms and moving wheels in the base, on wooden base and accompanied by glasse dome, 5in (13cm) high

Sold for £ 1,750 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2017


NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED BONE MINIATURE SPINNING JENNY

NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED BONE MINIATURE SPINNING JENNY
Early 19th Century
Of typical form, with functional spinning wheel.
Height 3.75”.

Sold for US$3,750 at Eldred’s in 2022

The post Spinning Jenny Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
327
Bear Automatons https://antiqueautomatons.com/bear-automatons/ Mon, 02 Mar 2020 07:57:00 +0000 https://antiqueautomatons.com/?p=250 Bear Automatons. Antique bear automatons often resembled real life bears as opposed to the cuddly teddy bears we know today. Many resembled circus bears or other performing bears. Below are…

The post Bear Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
Bear Automatons. Antique bear automatons often resembled real life bears as opposed to the cuddly teddy bears we know today. Many resembled circus bears or other performing bears.

Below are some examples of automatons in the form of bears including a bear window display which works by electric and a wooden bear organ grinder.

BEAR WINDOW DISPLAY AUTOMATON.

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

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

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

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

The post Bear Automatons appeared first on Antique Automatons.

]]>
250