The House of Automata

Cat In A Milk Churn

Cat in a Milk Churn by Roullet and Decamps of Paris. C.1950
A popular theme for R&D, the Cat rises up and turns her head, her tongue lapping away!
Papier mache cat with real fur covering and glass eyes. Musical movement. Same mechanism as the Rabbit in a Cabbage.

Musical Hall Chair

Made in Switzerland, Circa 1880. Inlaid marquetry chair with 4 air musical movement and tune sheet. The chair is operated by sitting on it when it will surprise the unsuspecting sitter with one of four tunes!
Price £1350 including shipping within UK (USA by air + £40).

Chair Front	Chair Rear
	Music Source

Clown Nodder

A 19th century Clown Nodder automaton with exceptional original paint and silk clothing. The key wound clockwork motor drives the long duration nodding action. Under the base is the label of a Paris Bookshop indicating that he probably pointed at a book in the shop window.
Measures 53×25x22cm.
He has aquired the name of Taddeo, from the opera Pagliacci.

Gnome Moving Picture

A clockwork animated picture, probably by Schoenhut of Germany. The picture features a replacable section for advertising purposes, probably of a bar or cafe. In good original condition with very few repairs evident. There is a later added musical movement playing “La Traviata” which can be removed if required.
Size is 35X27X12 cm.
Price: £1800

Rabbit In A Cabbage

Rabbit in a Cabbage Roullet & Decamps of Paris, C.1890.
The music plays and the rabbit rises slowly out of the cabbage. His ears twitch and he chews a leaf and leans right over the edge ….before suddenly disappearing back into the cabbage. Papier mache with fur covered rabbit. Clockwork mechanism with musical movement.

SOLD

Rabbit in a cabbage

Walking Cat

This fur covered papier mache cat was made by Roullet and Decamps of Paris in 1900. The cat walks along, curls his tail and miaows loudly.
The clockwork mechanism and bellows have been restored to full working order.

Singing Birdbox

Silver cased snuff box tabatiere by Griesbaum of Rudesheim, c. 1980. The heavy case is hallmarked and there is a small compartment in the back. Housed in a silk lined, leather travelling box. Guaranteed for two years.
Price £2,600

Singing Bird In Box

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.
SOLD