Early and Fine Musical Automaton Necessaire with Reverse Painted Glass

A fine, early and very unusual Palais Royal Cupid and Harp musical box with two-air cylinder movement. The finely modelled cupid sits upon an Empire stool and plays a classical 16 s...

Antique musical Palais Royal ormolu and mother of pearl ring stand depicting a harp. A Superb piece in original condition, the attention to detail is exquisite. Resting upon for ormo...

An attractive and unusual patinated bronze inkwell of a child feeding his dog which is chained to its kennel. The top of the kennel lifts off to reveal the porcelain inkwell within. The child in 19th...

A quite stunning French cut crystal inkwell of substantial size, with extremely elegantly worked neoclassical mounts, intricate scrolling filigree and very finely detailed sphinx's a...

A very fine and unusual gilt bronze letter opener and seal depicting a medieval knight in armour holding a banner. The knight stands upon a scrolling base...

English Regency patinated bronze and ormolu double inkwell. Set upon a rectangular base with mercury gilt ormolu moulding of "stiff leaf and dart" design. The inkwell holder itself, ...

Remarkable and all handcrafted work of lighting art. If you are looking for a truly stylish and original Arts and Crafts desk or table lamp then this aesthetically pleasing work of beauty could be gracing your home soon. This early Arts and Crafts fixture...

Beautiful music box by Bendon. Made in about 1880 in Switserland by this well known manufacturer. The mechanism plays 8 tunes on a 28cm cylinder as indicated on the original 'Bendon'...

Hand painted Glass Bottle with Geometrical Shapes and Flowers in Red and Gold.

The adjustable spyglass with gilt brass trim and original leather case.

One of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...

A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.