A French 19th century diorama automaton music box, the birds eye maple hinged cover within a kingwood cross banded border, opening to a mirrored back with a automaton seascape diorama, above the fitted compartments with twin ormolu mounted cranberry glass scent bottles, the caps inset with enamelled architectural scenes, along with a conforming ormolu mounted manicure kit, 17cm H x 38cm W x 27cm D (at fault)Condition report20cm length of beading missing from the front of the cover, minor water stains also to the top, with five visible screwheads indicating later repairs.Crack to the mirror on the underside with later repairs to the back of the diorama and pulley mechanism.Music box is not working, some corrosion/tarnishing to gilt implements, other minor beading loss to the base of the box.Overall will require restoration and repairs.Cylinder length 6cm
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Mid 19th century French silvered and ormolu portico automaton clock in Gothic style case by Leroy A Paris, tile and finial cast sarcophagus top over projecting repeating cornice, the frieze decorated with pointed arches and foliage, four column supports each with foliage cast capitals, circular Roman dial in ornate leaf cast slip above brick and dolphin mask waterfall automaton, twin train driven movement striking on bell with anchor escapement and silk suspension, the movement back plate stamped �Leroy A Paris�Dimensions: Height: 43cm Length/Width: 20cm Depth/Diameter: 12cm
A Late 19th/Early 20th Century French Musical Automaton, as a lady with composition head, painted features, her blonde mohair wig fashioned in a coil with feather trimmed headdress, wearing a cream net and silk gown with purple velvet cloak, seated with crossed legs, on a red velvet chaise longue and playing a lute, her head and hands moving with the key wind musical movement set to the base, with key and on/off lever, 45cm. Musical movement works. Some perishing to her silk gown and net overskirt.
A singing bird box, French, late 19th century,probably by Bontems of Paris, the brightly feathered bird automaton on gilt filigree oval surround, in Vernis Martin style case with flower and leaf transfer decoration, operating slide to the front, 3 7/8in (9.7cm) wide Footnotes:Provenance:From paperwork accompanying this box, it was purchased as Lot 63 at Sotheby's on the 4th June 1959.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
ALBUM – NAPOLEONIC ERA & NOBILITYAlbum titled 'Lady/ Emily/ Bathurst's/ Scrap/ Book/ 1818', comprising some 20 watercolours and 70 drawings in pencil, pen, ink and wash, with silhouettes and other printed ephemera, the majority affixed to the album page, others tipped in, including: small group of watercolours of Napoleonic interest (including 'Lord Anglesey had his leg amputated in this House at Waterloo June 18th', dated 'Sept. 19 1815'; 'View of the Bugio Fort & Light House entering the Tagus' (initialled G.B.); Napoleon in profile (after Ibbetson); 'Longwood' (initialled G.H.B. and dated 1818); and two pencil drawings, 'Waterloo Church' and 'Hougemont' by Lady Georgiana Fane, 1820); other subjects include views of houses ('Earl of Bristol's Villa at Putney Heath', 'Lord Bathursts House at Cirencester'), 'The Landing of the Cesar at Plymouth', 'The Diving Bell at Plymouth Docks'; six silhouettes by Lady Hardy including that of a Napoleonic soldier; two pen drawings 'made by an automaton'; group of pencil drawings and caricatures by Sir Henry Bunbury (son of the caricaturist) and two drawings captioned 'By Sir T. Lawrence'; with further contributions by Vice Admiral Lord Mark Robert Kerr (five), his daughter the silhouette artist Lady Letitia Louisa Kerr (pen drawings taken 'from an old print'), her brother the Hon. Seymour Bathurst, the Hon. Charles Percy (two playing cards), the Hon J. Stanhope, Captain Napier ('Mr W... On his return from his travels giving an account of them at dinner in Stanhope Street, 1820'), Thomas Hyde Villiers, Peregrine Maitland (whose maternal aunt married the brother of Jane Austen), and many others; interspersed with manuscript poems, charades, riddles and anagrams in several hands ('What does Honor est a Nilo make?/ Horatio Nelson' and 'Thus the English have gout, & the Frenchman has goüt/ And what fills a French heart fills an Englishman's shoe'), cut signatures and a note from Mr Gore sending 'the Queen's footman to enquire if the Countess of Bathurst is in London & has been at Court within the twelvemonth' dated 9 March 1818; printed ephemera including three theatre bills from the Theatre, Mont St Martin, 1817; and two linen-backed printed and embossed tickets for the coronation of George IV issued to The Lady Emily Bathurst, one signed by Frederick Duke of York, c.90 leaves, contemporary black morocco gilt with brass clasp, titled in gilt on red spine label, g.e., 4to (234 x 178mm.), c.1818-1823Footnotes:'AN ENIGMA SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY LORD BYRON': WATERCOLOURS OF NAPOLEON AND A MENTION OF JANE AUSTEN.This charming album was compiled by the young Lady Emily Charlotte Bathurst (1798-1877), daughter of Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst (1762-1834) and Lady Georgina Lennox (1765-1841) of Cirencester Park. Begun in 1818, a postscript indicates it was completed in 1823 prior to her marriage to Major-General Hon. Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby in 1825. Contributors to the album reflect a complicated web of aristocratic family connections and include accomplished amateur watercolourists such as Vice Admiral Lord Mark Kerr (1776-1840), his daughter Lady Louisa Kerr (1800-1885), who later became well-known for her finely executed silhouettes, although here she offers delicate pen and ink drawings, Sir Henry Bunbury (1778-1860), son of the famous caricaturist, and members of the Lennox family. The contents reflect the English obsession with Napoleon, now safely in exile on St Helena, with several watercolours and drawings of scenes around Waterloo and at Longwood – the initials 'G.H.B.' on the latter could possibly be those of Lady Emily's mother.An enjoyment of puzzles and parlour games is evident here, and the album is filled with clever riddles, charades and anagrams. Of particular note is the inclusion of a celebrated riddle on the letter 'H' by Catherine Maria Fanshawe, entitled 'An Enigma supposed to be written by Lord Byron' and beginning ''Twas whispered in heaven, 'twas muttered in hell,/ And echo caught faintly the sound as it fell'. As the title suggests these verses were often attributed to Byron: 'These lines thus first introduced were soon well-known and admired throughout the country, and from their style and curious felicity were attributed to Byron, the popular poet of the age. They afterwards crept into some foreign editions of his works, and are even at the present day often ascribed to him.' (The Rev. A.G. L'Estrange, Literary Life of the Rev. William Harness, 1871, p.101-102.). L'Estrange writes that Harness, a friend of Byron, noted that the original commenced 'Twas in Heaven pronounced'. Our version also has the word 'pronounced' as in the original but crossed out and replaced with 'whispered'. A playful note below the poem includes an early mention of Jane Austen but concludes that Fanshawe was indeed the author: 'not by Lord Byron but by Miss Fanshawe not by Miss Fanshawe but by Miss Austen – It was by Miss Fanshawe'. The name of Jane Austen had not long been in the public domain when this album was begun. Prior to her death in July 1817 her publications, although best-sellers, had not included her name on the title page and it was not until December 1817 in a biographical note by Henry Austen that she had been identified as the author of Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Provenance: Lady Emily Charlotte Bathurst (1798-1877); her son General Rt. Hon. Sir Henry Frederick Ponsonby (1825-1895); by descent in the Ponsonby family; private collection.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A 19th Century Manchester type mahogany cased long case clock, the eight day movement with enamelled and painted arched dial and Slaughterman automaton over a chapter ring with Roman numerals enclosing a subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture, indistinctly signed "..... Oram.....n....", 53 cm wide x 26 cm deep x 226 cm high
A fine quality 19th Century Swiss silver cased rectangular singing bird Automaton Music Box, in the manner of Charles Bruguier (Swiss 1788 - 1862) decorated in the Middle Eastern taste with filigree design, jewels, pearls and enamel, sliding mechanism and pop up oval section with brightly coloured bird and pierced gilt design, hall marked and initialled C.B., in working order. In purchase box from Mallett, 40 Bond Street, London. As a mechanical instrument, no guarantee as to working order. (1)
An Edwardian singing bird in cage automaton, with gilt wooden base. Height excluding carrying handle 52 cm, width 26 cm (see illustration). CONDITION REPORT: The movement winds and operates. One click of the operating lever produces a short burst of song. Once this has finished the second click produces a longer one. The beak and tail both move up and down and the head slightly to left and right. The song burst is in tune. The plumage is in generally good order. All of the metalwork to the cage is present. It is all a little tarnished but in good condition. The gilding to the base is generally rubbed around the extremities and the bottom edge. The joins are visible on the canted angles.
A carnival model organ and drum automaton, fitted with electric light bulbs and painted in bright enamel colours, with tin roof. Height 102 cm, width 107 cm, depth 50 cm. CONDITION REPORT: When the item is plugged in the majority of the lights do light up. The electric motor also runs and this operates the two drums and the drummer. We have not had any sound out of the organ but we do not really know how this operates. The speaker at the rear of the cabinet does have wiring to it and there is a Jack plug on the end of this wiring. Perhaps the sound would have been from a recording rather than through the actual organ itself. We think that this is probably the case.
LeCoultre & Co. An 18K gold and polychrome enamel keyless wind minute repeating jacquemart full hunter pocket watch with automatonDate: Circa 1880Movement: Lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, Breguet overcoil, wolf's tooth winding, two polished hammers striking on two gongsDial: Gilt and enamelled, grey guilloche enamelled dial, blue Roman numerals, applied gilt outer minute track with 5 minute markers, subsidiary dial at 5 with Arabic numerals for seconds, two enamelled turbaned courtiers striking twin bells resting on pink foliate, gilt lance handsCase: Polished hinged round, signed cuvette, No.1974Size: 54mm Accompaniments: Fitted wooden case, 18K gold chainFootnotes:Jacquemart automaton's also known as bellstrikers are mechanised figures of a person striking the hours on a bell with a hammer. They can also be known as a Jack of the Clock or Jack O'Clock. The origin of the word Jacquemart is disputed but thought likely to refer to a tool called a 'Jackie' which was used when building church towers.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A silver key wind open face Jacquemart automaton quarter repeating pocket watchDate: Circa 1820Movement: Gilt full plate, pierced and engraved balance bridge, 3-arm balance, silver regulationDial: 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 handsCase: Engine turned round, reeded band, push repeat via stem, No.1192, 8521Size: 56mm Accompaniments: KeyFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A singing birdcage automaton, 20th century, brass-cased, with a dome top, the round suspension loop above the top disc decorated with scrolls, the two singing birds, in yellow and red, the red slightly higher, amongst leaves and foliage, the circular base cast with garlands of flowers, raised on three short turned brass fee stamped to the base 'Reuge Music, Sainte Croix, Made in Switzerland', 25cm highCondition report: Loop chrome, cage appears OK, a few dents to the plinth. Birds feathers slightly worn. Red bird's breast feathers unstuck. The yellow bird has a missing eye. Working order.
19th Century Continental silver gilt singing bird automaton musical box, the floral engraved case with hinged lid enclosing pierced and engraved grill and feather covered bird, the rear with a hinged compartment enclosing the original key, 3.75ins wide, complete with the original Morocco leather covered boxIn very good external condition, winds and runs, bellows and singing mechanism will require attention.The mechanism winds and runs correctly with the bird rising and falling as it should.The song is sometimes muted/intermittent perhaps due to a short leak in the bellows.No marks to the box
A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY 8 DAY LONGCASE CLOCK, the hood with decorated glass panels below a swan neck pediment and twin columns flanking a glazed door, enclosing a painted 12 inch arched dial, with an moonphase automaton movement, Arabic and roman numeral, surrounding a seconds dial and subsidiary date aperture, the four pilar movement with a bell strike, on a trunk with oval inlay decoration flanked by columns, height 232cm (condition - loose hood door and damaged hinge, loose rose from swan neck, loose beading, replacement right bracket foot)
Early 20th singing bird Automaton, inscribed beneath 'Reveil de cavaleuie....', 38cm high.Condition report: Would benefit from a clean, appears to be working, damage to the wooden finial to top (chipped).Please check the extra images provided, which may show some condition issues, or call department for more information. We would advise viewing this lot in person prior to bidding.
A late 19th/early 20th century MAGICIAN AUTOMATON DOLL BY RENOU, with bisque head (marked “M1”), closed mouth & blue paperweight eyes, pierced ears with paste stud earrings, wearing sequin covered dress with paste-set veil, holding a silver metal basket upon a draped table, which lifts to reveal coloured balls etc., on velvet-covered plinth, & under domed glass dust shade; 19½” high (not currently working, mechanism requires attention).
Robert Fletcher, Chester (circa 1784-1820), mahogany eight day longcase clock, arched dial with urn finials over brass capped corinthian columns, flanking a 13'' painted arched dial with mounted horseman automaton to the arch, subsidiary seconds and date aperture, the movement striking on a bell, the trunk with reeded pilasters flanking a flame mahogany door base within reeded canted corners and later ogee bracket feet, height 240cmPlease note our special conditions of sale regarding clocks and watches
A mid-20th century, polychromed wood whistling tramp with moving head automaton, standing beside a lamp post with metal lantern, complete with key, in working order, whistling the tune 'Ah, my little Augustine', although lamp is untested. Removable back cover to reveal workings including switch to start and stop whistling. Made by and inscribed: Tom Seale, 1601 Wilshire Boulevard. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73116. Height approx. 49cm.Condition Report: Scratching and slight loss to lantern, one corner retouched, figure appears generally good.
An early 20th century singing birdcage automaton, the cage containing a single red bird perched upon a branch with leaves and fruit, the base with impressed floral decoration, 30cm high to top of ringCondition report: Floor lining worn with large patch missingSome oxidisation to brass - white patchesBranches dirty and worn, bird mising an eye and quite wornSinging functions when wound, no obvious faults
A German silver singing bird boxunmarked case the movement by Karl Griesbaum, circa 1930The top with oval hinged cover opening to a singing bird automaton, the going-movement with feather bird automaton with moving tail, wings and beak, with key, with multi-gem set rectangular case, decorated in relief with scrolls and flower head roundels, reed and ribbon borders and catch to the front, length 10cm.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Automaton: A rare 19th century La Grove, Kemp & Webb clockwork dancing doll automaton. Patented September 23rd, 1873, Broadway, New York, comprising two wooden figures which dance on top of the lidded wooden box which contains the clockwork motor. Figures show signs of damage but possibly have original clothing and top hat and are 8" tall. Motor in working order with key but in need of attention . Box has internal label and external metal plaque and measures 8" x 4". Please study pictures.
* Miniature garment. A 17th century-style coat, probably mid-late 19th century, hand-made black silk satin coat, with long sleeves embellished with wide black silk ribbon to give slashed effect, sleeves later (with machine-stitching), narrow black velvet ribbon stitched in lattice design to front edge and hem, hand-made lace collar and cuffs (possibly earlier), hook and eye and later press stud fastenings to front, and an eye stitched slightly asymmetrically to back of each shoulder (possibly for attaching a cloak), worn, with some losses, patches, and darns, length 23cmQty: (1)NOTESA curious miniature garment, the purpose of which we have been unable to fathom. Suggestions have been that it was made to clothe a doll, puppet or automaton, as attire for a figure in a large diorama, for someone with proportionate dwarfism, and even that it was originally a monkey costume. Indeed, this intriguing little coat may have had more than one function during the course of its history.
An early 19th Century oak longcase clock with an eight day movement striking on a bell, the case with twin swan neck pediment over reeded pillars and conforming pilasters either side of the trunk door, the 14 inch broken arch dial with rocking ship automaton to the arch, subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture, signed 'William Rowlands, Pwllheli', height 216cm, S/D.
![[WILLIS, Robert (1800-75)]. An Attempt to Analyse the Automaton Chess Player. [Bound with 3 other unrelated works.][WILLIS, R](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/a3276cf8-db78-46ec-8c8b-ad5900c80e7d/d4b3f8a9-6ebb-4b93-87ec-ad5900d56ccf/468x382.jpg)
[WILLIS, Robert (1800-75)]. An Attempt to Analyse the Automaton Chess Player. [Bound with 3 other unrelated works.][WILLIS, Robert (1800-75)]. AnAttempt to Analyse the Automaton Chess Player of Mr. de Kempelen. With an EasyMethod of Imitating the Movements of that Celebrated Figure. Illustrated byOriginal Drawings. To which is Added, a Copious Collection of the Knight’sMoves over the Chess Board. London: Printed for J. Booth, 1821. Half title, lithographed frontispiece by Hullmandel after the author and 9plates (some light staining mainly to plates) [bound with:] An HistoricalMemoir, relating to the Battle of Maida, fought in Calabria, 4thJuly, 1806 (London, 1819) [And:] Elijah’s Mantle; being VersesOccasioned by the Death of that Illustrious Statesman the Right HonourableWilliam Pitt … The Fifth edition (London, 1807) [And:] The EdinburghReview, December 1826. No. LXXXIX (Edinburgh, 1826, including a plate ofhieroglyphics). Together 4 works bound in one volume, 8vo (203 x 130mm). Contemporary half calf and marbled boards, spine with redmorocco lettering-piece (rubbed and scuffed). Provenance: John J. Jones(old signature at head of title); later annotation to frontispiece; some earlyannotation to front endpapers; G. L. T. Engle (modern signature on frontpastedown); from the Library of the late Sir George Engle. FIRST EDITION of the first-named work. Wolfgang von Kempelen(1734-1804) first displayed his celebrated “Automaton Chess Player” (or “TheMechanical Turk”) in 1770. It convinced many who saw it that, through itsmechanism alone, it was able to hold its own against human opponents, including,reputedly, Napoleon Bonaparte and Benjamin Franklin. In 1821, however, RobertWillis, a Cambridge professor and mechanical engineer, definitively exposed itin the present work as a hoax and revealed what some had already suspected:that the mechanism cunningly concealed a hidden human operator.
19th century musical automaton girl playing piano. Underskirt of the girls dress is breaking apart due to age, 2 of the piano keys are missing the white top, overall good condition considering the age. Very good playback of the melody and movement of the automaton. Size: 36 x 45,5 x 48,5 cm. Condition: Good.
Wind-up music automaton 2 birds in a cage. Very good working condition, both birds chirp, move their heads and tails. Good visual condition, both birds are missing feathers with the red bird missing more, the fabric on the base of the cage has been torn on one side. Paris ca. 1890. Size: 53 x 25 x 25 cm. Condition: Good.
Mechanischer Puppenautomat Poudreuse.: Biscuit-Puppenkopf ungemarkt wohl Teté Jumeau. Sitzende, aufwendig gekleidete Dame mit Puderquaste u. Spiegel. Kopf dreht und die Dame pudert sich. Mit der linken Hand hebt Sie den Spiegel um sich zu betrachten. Daneben Tisch mit aufwendigem Tischspiegel (mit Maskaron), Puderdose, Schere u. Schlüssel. Tisch unterhalb mit neuen Schrauben fixiert. Samtbezogener Sockel auf 4 Füßen. Spieluhr und Mechanismus laufen. H: ca. 36 cm. Leichte Alterssp. Angestaubt. Feine Arbeit wohl aus dem Hause Leopold Lambert um 1880-90. - Mechanical doll automaton Poudreuse. Fine work probably from the house of Leopold Lambert around 1880-90. R
A MODERN OAK CHIMING LONGCASE CLOCK, swan neck pediment to hood, arch glazed door enclosing a brassed 8 inch dial, moonphase automaton movement to arch, Westminster, St Michael, Whittington and silent chimes lever, seconds dial, roman and Arabic numerals, on a trunk with a glazed door (three weights, one pendulum) (condition- Sd, faulty trunk)
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