Creepy clockwork musical automaton figure

Early 20th century clockwork Automaton Diorama A truly wonderful example of an early 20th Century Dutch clockwork automaton diorama. The animation takes place after both clockwork me...

Early 20th century Creepy Glass Eyed English puppet head. Creepy indeed, is this early to mid-20th century articulated English ventriloquist dummy’s head....

Early 20th century European clock tower automaton figures We are proud to offer an extremely rare set of European clock tower automaton figures, in the form of Persian / Turkish male dressed figures. Dated from the early 20th century, hand carved from wooden sections and detailed in gesso and paint. In completely original condition, later these figures have been secured to a 19th century ebonized wooden base for display purposes. These figures still have their original mechanisms in place, the metal rods extended from their backs, once pulled raise both hands and head, the mechanism is simple and on a pulley system. It is likely these figures would have been part of a larger group, which would have been animated once the clock tower struck upon the hour. This is the first time we have ever been able to obtain artifacts of this nature, and they are exceedingly rare in completely original form. Size in inches: H 24” x W 21” x D 10” Origin: Europe Period: 1900-1920 Material: Wood & Gesso Condition: These items are completely solid in structure and form. Wear is present across all the surfaces which includes crackled paint, worn surfaces, chipped gesso, and faded paint, these items are firmly secured to base pictured. The velour clothing...

19th Century Tobacco advertising figure A rare example of a late 19th Century hand carved tobacco shop advertising figure in the form of an Arab gentleman. This fragment is mounted ...

19th century articulated automaton doll We are proud to offer a highly collectable and rare example of a late - 19th century English Folk Art, fully a...

19th century articulated wooden figure We are proud to offer a rare survivor from the 19th century, in the form of a hand carved pine figure of a soldier. With a polychrome painted...

A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage condition. Features porcelain head, hands and feet. Made in France during the 195...

A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage condition. Features porcelain head, hands and feet. Made in France during the ...

A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage working condition. Features porcelain head, hands and feet. Made in France circa...

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...

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...

This rare playful presentation features wonderful detailed faces, charming actions and whimsical music. Arranged on a faux bois paper covered wooden platform, a young organ grinder a...