Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Rare 19th Century Automaton Theater

$10,747.35
£8,000.70
€8,970
CA$14,721.18
A$16,373.17
CHF 8,549.56
MX$199,244.01
NOK 109,190.91
SEK 102,401.81
DKK 68,285.48
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This important and rare automaton theater dates from the late 19th century and features both its original mechanical system and later electrical modifications. Materials: Constructed from wood and metal, the theater showcases intricate craftsmanship. Mechanism: Operates via an original pulley system made of bronze and wooden wheels, which allows the curtains and stage decorations to rise and fall, while figures emerge from the stage floor. Electrical Modifications: In the first half of the 20th century, electrical components were added to enable continuous operation, especially for museum exhibitions in Barcelona. Condition: The mechanical system remains intact and functional, with the electrical additions enhancing its operation without compromising its historical integrity. Dimensions: 144 x 80 x 77 cm Provenance: Private Collection – Museum, Spain, Late 19th Century A video demonstrating its operation is available upon request
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 144 in (365.76 cm)Width: 88 in (223.52 cm)Depth: 77 in (195.58 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1890
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Madrid, ES
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5779243492572

More From This Seller

View All
Prie Dieu Recliner of the 19th Century Dated1879
Located in Madrid, ES
PRIE DIEU RECLINER OF THE 19TH CENTURY DATED 1879 BEAUTIFUL RECLINER TO PRAY FROM THE XIX CENTURY. IN THE CENTRAL PART IT HAS AN OIL PAINTING SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR AND DATED: L MONES...
Category

Antique 1870s Religious Items

Materials

Wood

Rare 18th Century English Clock
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare 18th century English clock Marquetry Weight: 9.20 kg England Sizes: H 62cm L 31cm very good condition.
Category

Antique 18th Century English British Colonial Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

MAGNIFICENT ELEGANT VENETIAN TRUMEAU 19/20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
MAGNIFICENT ELEGANT ITALIAN VENETIAN TRUMEAU 19/20th Century in walnut briar, enriched with 19th Century Venetian craftsmanship gilded wood carvings in pure gold h 280 x 165 x 75 cm...
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Italian Artist's Mannequin from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This elegant Italian artist's mannequin from approximately 1900 is a beautiful representation of craftsmanship from the 19th century. Crafted from solid fruitwood, it stands as a tes...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Scientific Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood

Amazing English Victorian Cabinet 19th Century
By English School
Located in Madrid, ES
Victorian cabinet English, 19th century in mahogany wood. Lower body with one drawer and two doors. Upper body with mirror, two glass doors, in...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Ernst Plank Steam Engine
Located in Madrid, ES
The Ernst Plank steam engine is a fascinating and remarkable piece, especially the Union model with dimensions of 43x14x14 cm. Manufactured by the Ernst Plank brand, this steam engin...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Scientific Instruments

Materials

Copper

Ernst Plank Steam Engine
$1,744 Sale Price
20% Off

You May Also Like

19th Century French Automaton
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous rare 19th century automaton. Most likely made in France at the end of the 19th century. She is a real beauty and in remarkable condition for her age. She is made of porcelain and cloth. When you wind her she bends her head and raises bouquet to smell the flowers. With the stand she is 15 1/2 inches high. Just herself measures 11 1/2 inches high. Approximately 5 1/2 inches in width and depth. There is a monogram on the back of her neck that appears to be the letter C...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Toys and Dolls

Materials

Porcelain

Polyphon Autochange Disk Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
As exceptionally scarce as it is fascinating, this autochange disk player by the Polyphon Musikwerke in Leipzig, Germany can change between six disks and play with the incredibly rare addition of bells that accompany the music. Before a coin is dropped into the slot, slide the brass indicator until it points to the desired music selection, insert a penny, and the chosen song will play automatically. An extremely limited number of these automatic disk changers were ever created, and even fewer have survived in such outstanding condition. Standing over seven feet tall, this particular model boasts a magnificent walnut case with handsome burl panels on its original, matching storage cabinet. A true technical marvel for its day, Polyphon’s automatic disk changer symbolizes pure ingenuity and superlative craftsmanship. This antique player...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Other Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass

Dutch Street Organ Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
Dutch Street Organ Music Box Late 19th Century This delightful music box takes the shape of a barrel organ or street organ, known as draaiorgel in Dutch. It is designed as a miniatu...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass

Mermod Fréres Station Cylinder Music Box
By Mermod Frères 1
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptionally wonderful and rare automaton cylinder musical box by the Mermod Fréres firm of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland is a marvel of musical crafts...
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Miniature Wardrobe
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century miniature wardrobe.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Models and Miniatures

Early 20th century clockwork Automaton Diorama
Located in London, GB
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...
Category

Vintage 1930s Dutch Victorian Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood