The House of Automata

Singing Bird

A French clockwork singing bird by Bontems of Paris, circa. 1910. Height 12 inches, the gilded cage containing a beautiful red and black feathered bird which turns its head and moves its tail and beak in perfect time with the song.

This Singing Bird is stamped on the base with its French origin, it has the original deep fire gilding on the brass with only slight wear on the high spots. The quality of the mechanism and the thorough restoration have given it an almost perfect song. It will play continuously or intermittently with long pauses between each short phrase of birdsong, this allows for a magical effect where your guests will wonder where the song comes from.
Guaranteed in every respect for two years from purchase.

Singing Bird

Le Monde des Automates

The fabled two volume “Bible” of automata by Chapuis & Gelis, Le Monde des Automates.
We have one boxed set of the of the 1984 re-print of the 1928 original. This re-print, in as new condition, is very scarce and presents the opportunity to use the book without fear of damaging the originals. 348 and 355 pages with 7 full-page plates (5 in colour) and 540 text illustrations. Stretching from antiquity to the beginning of the twentieth century, this treatise not only discusses the history of automatons, but also explains how they function, employing hundreds of detailed text illustrations to show their mechanical parts and how their movements are generated. Included are chapters on clocks and watches, mechanical paintings, snuff boxes, singing birds, talking machines, androids which write, draw and sing, as well as chapters on orthopaedics and artificial limbs. Chapuis (b.1888) and Gélis were Swiss watchmakers and historians renowned both for their quality workmanship and their historical knowledge.
Price: £480
(we may have a numbered first edition available, details and price on application).

The Windmill

Dancers at the Windmill by Phalibois of Paris. C.1875
This rural scene is driven by a clockwork musical movement. In excellent original condition the scene features two swirling dancers and man who leans in and out from the windmill window. The sails on the windmill turn as the dance takes place. Height approximately 18 inches overall.

Guaranteed as to authenticity plus two years mechanical Guarantee.
Price on application.

The Windmill

Barking Dog

Life Size Barking Bulldog
Made in Paris around 1880 this papier mache bulldog has a nodding head and a gruff bark that makes people jump!
Approximately 28 inches long he is life sized and very realistic.
Price: £1250

Rabbit In A Cabbage

Rabbit in a Cabbage
Made by Roullet & Decamps of Paris in the late 19th century.
The clockwork mechanism still has its original R&D key. The one air musical movement plays a pleasing tune while the rabbit rises shyly from its cabbage. Looking over the top and chewing it is startled and dives back in to the cabbage. A favourite on the Antiques Roadshow and very hard to find.
Good original condition with no restoration. Guaranteed for two years.
Price: £1950

Lambert Magician

A rare Magician in original clothes by Leopold Lambert of Paris, c.1880.
The Magician produces different objects from under his cups.
Price on application.

Dashchound Dog

His name is Roman and he is a life sized (28″ X 16″ high) papier mache automaton dog. He came to us from Romania but he was born in Paris circa 1900, as part of the Roullet & Decamps family. The clockwork mechanism makes him nod his head and open and shut his mouth for about 20 minutes. Roman has a suede skin and a history that is quite tragic. (He’s not, and never has been, a real dog.) There is one gunshot hole still visible on his neck at the front, just above the collar. During restoration about 12 airgun pellets were removed from his head. He is happy now and looking forward to a new owner who will look after him.
Price: £2450.