automata

A late 19th French Bonthems singing birds in cage automata with a whistling bird on a perch with wagging tail, head turning from side to side and another bird seated on, the ground, in a gilt cage on moulded wood rectangular base, 57 cm high.…

A 1950s clown automaton, with composition head, dressed in a green and red clown suit holding an umbrella and balancing on one hand, probably by Pelham, mechanism requires attention. Height 52 cm

A Swiss movement tortoiseshell singing bird box, mid 19th century, the tortoiseshell and silver gilt rectangular case with a central hinged oval lid engraved with little birds in flight, opening to reveal a brightly coloured animated singing bird 10 x 6.…

Victorian automaton of two caged singing birds. Brass cage with a red and a yellow bird perched on a small branch, birds sing and chirp and move either head or tail. Height 28.5 cm

Victorian automaton singing bird in a cage, c. 1900 rare penny-slot operated working model. Bird of metal, textile, feathers and wood seated on a perch with leaf decoration. Cage raised on a wooden octagonal base with drawer to collect pennies.…

A singing bird in a cage clock, French circa 1910 16 cm high

A rare brass and slate automaton locomotive clock, English, circa 1880

A Victorian singing bird in a gilt metal cage, French 19th century, 53 cm high

A German ?Singing bird? automaton music box late 19th/early 20th century, the rectangular case with ornate filigree decoration, together with original bird shaped key. Width 10.5 cm

A French mahogany and gilt metal mounted singing bird automata, 20th century, with a bird on a perch with wagging tail, head turning from side to side and whistling, another bird seated on the ground, the case raised on a base with gilt mounts,…

An early 20th century Continental whistling bird automaton, the ornate rectangular gilded filigree top with central roundell opening to a whistling bird above banded sides. Height 10.5 cm .

Rare 'Black forest' carved wooden automaton of a man by a lamp post whistling 'He's a Jolly good Fellow '

An automaton figure of a mother and child lying in bed, German, the reclining mother sits up, nods head, raises arms and rocks baby, movement housed in base of bed, accompanied by a musical movement

A singing bird automaton, German, the single automated bird perched on a stand entwined with delicate foliage and berries, within a brass cage mounted on a wooden base decorated with floral motif, raised on four baluster feet

An automaton doll, German, the doll with porcelain face and hands, action raising arms and rotating head, glass dome, music box in base

Singing birds automaton. Height 28 cm

Rare continental enamel gilt and ivory mounted singing bird music box, the blue enamel rectangular box with gilt borders and carved ivory bird cover

French automaton possibly by Phailibois sitting on an ebonised base in large glass case with two monkeys sitting at a table playing cards and pouring a drink while birds hover above in a tree next to running water.…

A mid 19th century automaton in papier mache, the musical movement opening the ginger jar lid to reveal an oriental figure with colourful costume partaking in tea. Height 34 cm

Rare Swiss silver cased singing bird music box, the rectangular box decorated with birds amid scrolls and foliate decorations, marked 925 EB

Automaton bear with real fur, he pours a drink, lifts his hand and raises the glass

National Toy Co. talking machine automated toy, 'Dancing Rastus', with its original box which includes directions on the lid. This dancing figure is designed to sit atop a phonograph and 'dance' as the record spins

National Toy Co. talking machine automated toy with its original box, 'The Boxers, Automatic Boxing Darkies for Disc Talking Machines'. These two boxer figures are designed to sit atop a phonograph and 'box' as the record turns

20th century Continental brass filligree singing bird automaton music box with ornate filligree decorations, a scrolling surround, a centred hinged oval lid opening to reveal a scarlet bird and a foliate pierced grill