Items Similar to Monkey Orchestra Musical Automata Picture, Lecoultre & Riviere, France, c. 1865
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Monkey Orchestra Musical Automata Picture, Lecoultre & Riviere, France, c. 1865
$24,920.93
£18,000
€21,293.44
CA$34,299.31
A$38,060.17
CHF 20,075.81
MX$464,633.38
NOK 253,998.20
SEK 237,889.86
DKK 158,908.94
About the Item
An extremely rare museum quality monkey ‘chamber orchestra’ automata musical picture, made in France in c. 1855 and signed ‘Riviere’.
The picture is in extraordinarily good original condition, with bright vivid colours that have survived the last 170 remarkably well. It features 6 monkey musicians elegantly dressed in bright clothing, some even wearing tinted glasses, and playing an array of musical instruments while a dog barks before them. They all perform beneath a portrait of a monkey wearing laurels more than a little reminiscent of Napoleon Bonaparte (or perhaps Napoleon III, as this was made shortly before his deposition in 1870...). There is also a rendition of a Spanish bodegon still life painting behind the piper’s head. In the conductor’s hat on the floor is the signature ‘Riviere’.
There are 12 separate movements to the figures and the accompanying barking dog, all controlled by an intricate and complicated system of pulleys, strings and weights that amazingly has also survived intact. Notice, for example, some of the original French newspaper that was used to create a weight on one of the counterbalances, along with the dots of red wax holding it all in place. This system is driven by its own separate running motor wound on the left hand side of the frame, and operated by a sliding mother-of-pearl button on the right hand side of the picture.
The musical movement operates separately. It is a Swiss movement made by Lecoultre of Geneva, Switzerland with serial number 6593, playing four tunes with a lively sound as detailed on the original tunesheet that is housed in the rear of the picture alongside the movement. The tunes are:
1: Drum Drum Drum
2: Polka de Jenny Lind (composed in 1846)
3: Valse Une Nuit a Grenade
4: La Marguerite du Val de Andorre
The movement is wound on the right hand side of the picture. It is activated by a cord hanging from the underside of the frame and plays the tunes sequentially one tune at a time with each pull of the cord.
Both the musical movement and the automata mechanism have recently been fully serviced by specialist restorers to put them in the best possible working condition. The picture also retains its original winding key, and we have devised a diagram of the stringing in case any should come loose.
The black frame is original with some losses to its moulding but considering the age it is, again, a remarkable survivor.
This picture is a real treasure. It is exceptionally large, as most other examples were made later in the 19th century and were usually a quarter of this size. In 55 years of dealing in mechanical music antiques and automata we have only heard of 2 other examples like this, but the condition of this example really is extraordinary. It is a magnificent survivor.
Given its age and complexity, please be aware this is a fragile and temperamental automaton. Any new custodian will need to be understanding of this and treat it accordingly, including being willing to forgive some elements sometimes not working as they might have the day before, and ideally be somebody with a technical mind who could make any small adjustments necessary to remedy small issues. If you are interested and would more photos of the movement, frame, diagrammatic plan, etc. please feel free to request.
- Creator:LeCoultre & Cie 1 (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.26 in (87 cm)Width: 26.38 in (67 cm)Depth: 7.88 in (20 cm)
- Style:Napoleon III (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1860-1869
- Date of Manufacture:1865
- Condition:Repaired: Mechanical musical movement has been fully serviced. Automaton movement has also been serviced by a specialist who has provided a diagram of how all the different elements connect. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: VFA12811stDibs: LU9676246274792
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
1stDibs seller since 2024
11 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllGrand Tour Roman Micromosaic Crucifix, Italy, c. 1900
Located in London, GB
A fine quality Grand Tour Roman micromosaic crucifix, made in Italy in the early part of the 20th century and attributed to Josef Anton Stocker.
The design of this crucifix is inspi...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Grand Tour Religious Items
Materials
Metal
Antique 6 Bell Fortissimo Music Box by J Manger & Co, c. 1885
Located in London, GB
An excellent-sounding Fortissimo 6 bell antique music box made by J. Manger & Co. of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1885.
The fully serviced musical movemen...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Late Victorian Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique 6 Bell Music Box with Enamel Bee Strikers by Karrer, c. 1875
Located in London, GB
A lovely quality antique music box made by Karrer of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1875.
The fully serviced musical movement features a highly attractive arrangement of 6 individually e...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Late Victorian Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Riviera Van Gogh-Inspired Sunflower / Sunburst Mirror, France, c. 1960
Located in London, GB
A stunning and bright Van Gogh-inspired mid century modern mirror in the form of a sunflower, made in France c. 1960.
The sunburst-style frame is handmade wrought iron painted in b...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Mirrors
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
Onnaing Majolica Coligny Art Nouveau Pitcher/Jug, France, c. 1880
By Frie Onnaing
Located in London, GB
A bright and colourful Art Nouveau Majolica pitcher made by Frie Onnaing in northern France in c. 1880.
This design is known as Coligny, and features a combination of groups of hyd...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pitchers
Materials
Ceramic
Gustave Doré Signed Cupid Cherub Bronze Sculpture, Paris, France, c. 1876
By Gustave Doré, Thiebaut Freres
Located in London, GB
A superb quality bronze sculpture of Cupid with his bow by the renowned French artist Gustave Doré, made in Paris, France, c. 1876.
Entitled ‘Amour lançant une flèche’ in French, th...
Category
Antique 1870s French Romantic Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
You May Also Like
19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Vintage Italian Ceramic Figure Man with Musical Box and Monkey
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully rendered ceramic figure of man with musical grinding box and monkey. The detail and execution of this ceramic piece, made by hand is outstanding. The figure renders detai...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Arts and Crafts Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Cylinder Musical Box
Located in Cheshire, GB
Swis music box with original tune sheet, cylinder, comb and the brass bed plate, within a rosewood case, the lid inlaid with boxwood lines and a central motif.
Dimensions
Height 8 ...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Musical Instruments
Materials
Walnut
$2,215 Sale Price
46% Off
Adorable and Therapeutic Musical Clown Automaton Figure Toy French
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage working condition.
Features porcelain head, hands and feet.
Made in France circa...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
$550 Sale Price
44% Off
19th Century French Nautical Musical Automaton, circa 1860
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique French Nautical Automaton, likely from Marseilles, circa 1860, a glass domed diorama with windmills and cottages on hillside, overlooking harbor with ship rocking on waves to a musical tune. The interior of glass dome has a hand painted landscape with trees, village and expansive sky; the diorama features a carved or molded cottage and windmill with figures winding along path down to the water's edge; a paper or papier-mache barque rides on a blue tissue paper sea; a pull-string activated mechanism plays music, rocks the ship on the sea...
Category
Antique 1860s French Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Clay, Glass, Paper
Stringed Musical Instrument, Balalaika
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Balalaika. With a triangular body made of light wood, with a small acoustic hole in the top. The long, narrow neck has a fingerboard with circular fret markings to make playing notes...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
