Coin-Operated Double Bird Jumper, Singing Bird Automaton Clock

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Coin-Operated Double Bird Jumper, Singing Bird Automaton Clock

About the Item

An incredible antique coin-operated double bird jumper, singing bird and multi-action automaton timepiece under glass dome by Bontems, French, circa 1900. Japy. Frères timepiece movement No. 32329, This masterpiece automaton by Bontems has one of the most complex actions in the world with eight separate movements, Video available upon request. When action movement wound with key to the right, the singing bird movement wound with key to left and pre-decimal penny piece inserted into slot at front, the whole tree under dome comes to life. With perched red Tanager opening and closing beak and bobbing tailfeather to continuous birdsong, bird in-flight to very top of tree flapping wings with maximum stroke, two hummingbirds to top and lower sections of the tree turn and fly repeatedly from one branch to another, whilst the duck on the still pond turns randomly from side-to-side as the frog on the bank jumps into the water, a gentle trickle of the waterfall behind and the swan swims around in a circle of the second pond whilst turning slightly from left to right, coming to an end when the movement completes a revolution and the 1d. piece falls into collecting drawer to front underside. The drive comprising two separate movements. The first a singing bird movement with dual brass sound and main valve cams, beak and tailfeather operated by direct connection to the valve cam. The multi-action four-pillar movement with spring barrel, long drive rod which travels the three-quarter width of the baseboard, starting with straight-cogged gear for swan pond, a cam for duck turn next to the cord pulley for waterfall drive, then a continuous stack of five cams for the other bird actions. The coin-operated start/stop bars unite both movements at the governor points, directed by the counterbalanced see-saw and comma cam sited at the end of the singing bird movement drive rod. The 2-train timepiece has circular plates, medal d'honour circular stamp, striking on a bell, white enamel dial with Western Arabic numerals in black, chapter ring with quarter hour compass point figures, painted floral crest across the centre, dark blued scroll pointed hands, brass dial surround, held by two vertical strut supports. The tree of very finely modelled and painted papier-mâché, branches with integral wire and leaves to the oak pattern of pre-autumnal hue. Base of very detailed and textured rocks and mossy crops, waterfall cut-back with lichen and splash detail, ferns, grass and small flowers bedded in to the ensemble. This automaton has eight full taxidermy birds - one large perched Tanager with brown beak, black streaked tucked wings and tailfeather. All others are very exotic and brightly iridescent-blessed hummingbirds. The first a large adult with fan tail, outstretched beating wings. The first static bird in cream and soft brown in take-off pose with head looking up and long beak. The first jumper with purple and green iridescent flash, the second with very similar features, flanking extraordinary scene of a wing-spread hummingbird in mid-air, sapping the nectar from an open blossom flower in white and very light brown plumage. The final two static birds each with outstretched wings in white, black and electric green, and plum, brown and dark green plumage respectively, all going on above double pond mirrors with mercury anodised backing. The waterfall a single glass twisted-square rod. Painted papier-mâché frog with bending legs, three ducks including turning example of varying size from baby to adult. Painted plaster swan with beak and feather textured detail, all under the wide low-shoulder glass dome with gold paper lined bottom edge, on large moulded ebonised base, raised on turned feet. 1d. coin slot with brass escutcheon to front-centre. Size: 26in. wide including key head, 11in. deep, 28 in. high - (66 x 28 x 71cm). Point of interest: Never before have we laid eyes on a more complex, more complete or more beautiful singing bird jumper automaton under dome. The sheer number of movements brings the entire tree to life - not a single square inch it seems appears static. This is perhaps that due to a little vibration, all the leaves in the tree shake very gently, creating an even more real effect as an invisible 'wind'. The movement drive inspection, through the cams to the gears, is a joy. The duck making his move from left to right, comes from a sprung line on a reading cam which pits and crests a tiny fraction, yet due to the position of the pivot where the sprung line is issuing from, the output has a far more reaching distance. A strong move, hone from a minor action. Genius. This is just the tip of the iceberg though, as each hummingbird is of the finest taxidermy poise, correctly and masterfully preserved with dignity and with all colours still as radiant today as when these birds were flying in the trees over 100 years ago. Proof from Bontems, who no doubt made this special piece for a special client, that actions really do speak louder than words. An almost impossible vision, not only designed and made, but as astonishing as it may be, a working survivor.

Dimensions:
Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1900-1909
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1900
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 15971stDibs: LU201534923763