Automata
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PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM  


Le Déjeuner du Lapin par Bébé

From the Roullet & Decamps firm comes a very charming automaton – a sweet French child who feeds her pet bunny rabbit.  Details of the child include a gorgeous and perfect Bebe Jumeau head with the requisite flange neck, lovely brown paperweight eyes, pierced ears and the original brown human hair wig.
Wind the key, pull the stop to start the action and delicate music, then the beautifully dressed child turns her head from side to side and downward to look at her bunny.  Intermittently, the bunny rabbit’s ears and front paws raise and lower and he emits a soft cry. The child’s right arms moves to feed the bunny from the spoon which contains what appears to be leafy greens.  A charming piece that is in excellent condition, both mechanically and physically.
This automaton will be marvelous standing among your French bebe dolls. Imagine your guests' surprise when one of them starts to move!

Measures: 27” tall, overall.

SOLD
Thank you, A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A true rarity is this German Musician who has mastered his accordion. Featuring a perfect bisque head from an unknown maker, features include an open mouth with teeth, and set blue glass eyes. Placed upon a softly stuffed body with carved wood and composition limbs, this fellow retains an all original presentation in good condition.
Repeatedly press the lever on his back while holding his tummy with your thumb, and his arms work his lovely squeeze box with its Dresden paper trimmings, his head lolls around and nods as if he is enjoying his playing and a real musical tune can be heard.
A charmer to be sure – the ladies love him!

Please click here to view the Action

Measures: 15" tall, overall.

$1995.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singerie is a French term which translates to "Monkey Trick". A popular trend among French artists in the early eighteenth century, the term is mostly reserved for a type of decorative painting which includes monkeys – fashionably attired and often acting in human behaviors.
Obviously, the popularity of singerie continued well into the nineteenth century, and was also translated into mechanical art in the example of this amazing automaton, a creation of Jean Marie Phalibois, circa 1880.
Gaze upon this elegant and colorful tableau and one will see – the somewhat shocking at first – scene of two monkeys, a lady and a gentleman wearing expensive, silken finery, enjoying an elegant, open air repast – gaily chatting, eating and drinking. The gentleman seems to be concentrating solely on the drink, while his companion slices away at her entree with the knife she holds in her hand.
Accompanied by beautiful music, two tunes to be exact, the intricate movements include those of the lady monkey who slices her entree, raises the morsel in her fork toward her mouth, while her jaw moves in a chewing (or chatting) motion, her head turns from side to side – at times briskly, and her eyes flutter.
The gentleman monkey lifts the wine bottle in his left hand, turns his head toward it, as if to read the label. In his left hand he holds a goblet which he lifts toward his moving jaw to take a drink, then lowers it back to the table, all the while his eyes blink.
Note also, how beautifully appointed their table is, with its gilded service and delicacies upon dinner plates – even napkins are placed in their laps!
We cannot emphasize the visual impact this extremely rare piece has on one's senses...."seeing is believing".

Please click here to view the "Party Animals" in Action

$48,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes an extravaganza like this! Yes, it's a German Pull-toy, featuring a Clown riding upon a Rooster! Pull this brilliant scene along, and the bellows emits quite a sound – no wonder the poor boy looks a bit startled!
Details include a fabulous papier-mache clown on a composition body, costumed in silks and lace, with sparkling blue eyes, and fantastic animal decals upon his sweet face, with red face paint added for good measure.
The papier-mache rooster is abundantly enhanced with real feathers, which also act as foliage growing out of the naturalistic papier-mache base.
Need a bit of fun and color in the doll room? We have it right here!

Please click here to view the Action

Measures: 24" tall x 16" long.

$1595.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbit Out of a Hat
  

No need to pull this “rabbit out of a hat” – he comes out all on his own.  Many varieties of this automaton exist, but we have never seen this particular version until now. Usually, we find rabbits popping out of mundane things such as cabbages.
Wind the key that protrudes from this silk-covered wood and carton “top hat” and music begins to play.  Before you know it, a carrot-munching bunny rabbit raises up from the leafy interior.  He looks around, while his left hand raises his carrot to his mouth, then he pops down swiftly into the safety of his home.  Both the music and movement are strong, and the fur-covered bunny is in excellent condition.

Measures: 13” tall (max) x 13-1/2” wide x 12 deep.

$2250.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


"Kitty in the Cream Can"
from
Roullet & Decamps

The Roullet & Decamps firm of Paris, France, made several varieties of automata which feature this basic movement, but could any them be cuter that this Kitten? Wind the key – pull the stop – delicate music begins and before your eyes a furry, glass-eyed kitten rises out of the shiny nickel cream can. Said kitty repeatedly licks "cream" from the side of the can and then – vanishes quickly back down into the can! Rest assured, she'll soon return for even more wonderful cream.
The music is pleasant and the mechanism strong...but then, you can see that for yourself!

Please click here to view the Kitty in Action

Measures: 8" tall, 9 1/2" with the Kitten popped up.

$1895.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A precious Squeaker in all original presentation! This shoulderhead model, most likely a pretty blue-eyed Armand Marseille, wears wonderful clothing and emits a festive squeak when shaken to and fro – now you (or a very large bebe) can be the life of the party!

Please click here to view the Action

Measures: 14-1/4" tall.

$1250.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This very charming and incredibly artful French automaton features a half-timbered "Moulin" upon a craggy hilltop. Of sculpted papier mache, the rugged landscape is created by a realistic paint finish, with moss, dried flowers and grasses acting as underbrush, but also note the path up to the windmill is accented by a split-rail fence.
When the mechanism is wound and the stop is pulled, music plays, the windmill spins, and two delightful bisque children, with fabulous costumes and wooden legs, dance to their heart's content. In all-original condition, circa 1885, this wonderful and quite rare piece measures 14 1⁄2” tall.

Please click here to see the action

$4800.00


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