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
