Is that snake real? Incredible footage of a vintage snake-charmer automaton

My previous post was about "Zulma, La Charmeuse de Serpent" (Zulma, The Snake-Charmer) created by Gaston Decamps around 1907. VERITAS Art Auctioneers in Lisbon, Portugal will be auctioning off this rare automaton today, June 24th 2014 .

Here is video footage of the piece in question. Just incredible!

Contact information for VERITAS Art Auctioneers:
Address: Av. Elias Garcia, 157 A/B  1050-099 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 21 794 8000
Email: info@veritasleiloes.com
Web:  http://veritasleiloes.com

[ Thanks Falk! ]

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Zulma, The Snake-Charmer automaton to be sold on June 24th, 2014

Just a few days from now, VERITAS Art Auctioneers in Lisbon, Portugal will be auctioning off a rare and important automaton. Titled "Zulma, La Charmeuse de Serpent" (Zulma, The Snake-Charmer), the piece was made by the famous by Gaston Decamps in 1907.

From the catalog description:

Rare automaton with winding mechanism and four melodies, resin and card face and body with joints hidden by jewels of oriental inspiration in gilt metal and paste On a painted wood base with coin slot and velvet carpet in green and red embroidered in metal yarn. This model shows the snake-charmer in a silk embroidered gown girded by a scarf When in movement the figure dances to the music and the snake’s head moves at the same rhythm.

I've seen one of these in person some years ago at a Skinner auction. It was stunning!

Contact information for VERITAS Art Auctioneers:
Address: Av. Elias Garcia, 157 A/B  1050-099 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 21 794 8000
Email: info@veritasleiloes.com
Web:  http://veritasleiloes.com

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Antique bubble-blowing polar bear automaton

The good folks at Douglas Fisher Antique Automata just posted this amazing piece by Roullet & Decamps dating to around 1905. This is one of the best antique automata I've seen in quite a long time!

From the Douglas Fisher web site:

When bubble mixture present in chalice and automaton wound by the key and bayonet start/stop rod actuated, the polar bear turns his head to the left as his right hand holding bubble hoop scoops up mixture from the chalice held in left hand and lifts hoop in front of face, pausing for a moment then suddenly blowing to exude a stream of many bubbles which blow around the room. He then quickly turns his head to the left and opens his mouth to clearly reflect on the fun of the action, scooping more liquid for the next of many bubbles blown in repeating sequence again and again.

The bear has a clever movement within torso which animates the arm, head, and mouth. It also contains a bellows which provides the air needed for the bear to blow the bubbles. As with many automata of this era, the body is made papier-mâché covered in real fur. It figure stands 17 inches high, has glass eyes, and carved wood teeth.

Here is where you can learn more about this antique bubble-blowing polar bear automaton.

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Classic rabbit-in-a-head-of-cabbage automaton with an early electric component

This historical gem comes to us by way of Michael Start at The House of Automata. This is an interesting and unusual version of the classic Rabbit-in-a-Cabbage automaton, dating to the 1930s.

From Michael Start's description:

A Rabbit in a Cabbage automaton dating from the 1930's and labelled as "made in Austria". Owned by the same family since new and housed in its original box. The clockwork automaton has a battery compartment under one of the leaves and this battery is used to light up the eyes. An early example of the use of battery operation for entertainment. This model was usually made by Roullet & Decamps of Paris. Shown here on my bedside table with the lights dimmed so the red eyes illuminate well.

See more wonderful vintage and antique automata at The House of Automata web site.

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Douglas Fisher now offering Golden Age automata, singing birds, and musical boxes

The firm of Douglas Fisher of London has launched a new web site which offers Golden Age automata, fine singing bird boxes and cages, and unusual cylinder musical boxes.

The list of offerings features many examples from the most renowned makers: Vichy, Roullet-Decamps, Griesbaum, Bontems, Phallibois, and others. Every piece they offer is shown in static images, video with sound, and in a 360-degree view. According to their web site, the majority of thier pieces can be viewed at their gallery at 75 Portobello Road in London. They will also be exhibiting at various fairs in Europe, USA and Asia.

Here is the web site for Douglas Fisher Antique Automata Ltd.

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Automata exhibition at San Francisco airport

The video shown below accompanies an new exhibition of antique automata that opened at the International Terminal of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in November of 2011. Most of the nineteen automata on display were loaned from the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum located in Morristown, New Jersey.

From the SFO Museum web site:

This exhibition of automata and mechanical tableaux offers a broad range of automaton production from the second half of the nineteenth century, and includes a late twentieth-century creation using nineteenth-century parts and production methods. Most are set in motion by a mechanical spring motor and possess a music box. The best makers of the era are represented: Lambert, Phalibois, Tharin, Renou, Roullet & Decamps, and Vichy.

The exhibit is situated right where travelers get on and off the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and is open to ALL visitors, ticketed or non-ticketed. If you are in the San Francisco area, you'll want to go check this out!

Here is a link to more information on the automata exhibit at SFO from the SFO Museum web site.

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Rare antique automata auction Nov. 19th, 2011

Shown here is an extremely rare musical automaton known as The Kneeling Egyptian Harpist. Made by Gustav Vichy around 1890, few are known to exist. It is estimated to be worth between $30,000 - $45,000. This is one of many exquisite dolls and automata being auctioned by Theriault's on November 19th, 2011.

From the Harpist automaton description:

When wound, she elegantly plucks the harp, her right arm moving laterally to the instrument as her right jointed wrist bends to "pluck" the strings. Then her left arm rises and falls vertically in an arc. Meanwhile her head turns and nods as though gazing at the strings and then at her audience, her breastplate heaves slowly in a breathing motion, and her eyelids open and close.

The sale, to take place in New York at the Waldorf Astoria, features a collection of 19th century antique French dolls and automata. The most notable of automata in the sale come from the collection of Aaron and Candy Spelling. These include automata by such masters as Vichy, Theroude, Lambert, and Roullet et Decamps.

Here's one on my wishlist (for all you kind anonymous benefactors out there) -- a French gilt bronze automaton titled Mandarin Magician by J.F. Houdin.

From the magician automaton description:

A heavy cast bronze Mandarin magician with elaborately-sculpted costume in traditional style and having impressed designs, earrings, moustache, and cap is standing behind a gilt bronze table with star and fringe accents. Music and movements are wound separately, and the music can be elected to play alternate tunes, repeat, or can be played separately without the movements. When wound, the Mandarin nods his head, and in a series of movements lifts both magic domes atop his table or only one; meanwhile the secrets under the domes are alternately revealed: cups, dice, cones and such, or, sometimes, nothing.

Here is a link to more information on the Many Wonderful Things auction to be held Saturday, November 19th, 2011. If you cannot attend, be sure to register for the online auction – visit www.theriaults.com and click on the button for Proxibid – because they will be demonstrating each of the pieces as it is brought to the podium!

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Magician levitating a woman by Decamps c. 1920

Here is one of several pieces going to auction this Saturday, June 4th, 2011. This piece depicting a magician levitating a woman was manufactured by Decamps around 1920. The figure has painted composition hands and head and multiple movements. To get a sense of scale, the magician figure stands 28 1/2" tall, so it is fairly large. It's estimated worth is between $4,000 - $6,000 USD.

The auction is being held at:
San Rafael Auction Gallery
634 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael
San Rafael, CA 94901

Here is where you can get more details on this and several other French automata going to auction.

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Taxidermy mice incorporated into automaton

While some of the Roullet et Decamps animal automata use real fur, I don't think they ever use entire animals. Inspired or creepy? The idea of using preserved mice in an automaton is fascinating to say the least!

From the ebay description:

The piece is one of a series of circus themes, and it is titled "The Lesson". The larger mouse who wears a ringleader style suit bounces high on his ball, while the smaller mouse only jumps a little way up. Juggling balls are scattered around where they have been practicing balancing and juggling. A very small mouse, too young to train yet, helps by picking up the balls and handing them back to the ringmaster.

Here is where you can learn more about the automaton with taxidermy mice.

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1890s Roullet & Decamps wind-up automaton pig

Here's an animal you might not have guessed you would find in automata form. This is a wind-up pig automaton from the 1890s made by Roullet & Decamps.

From the ebay desctiption:

This 1890's Roullet and Decamps automaton windup pig is a survivor. It looks to need some love but still a real cool mechanical toy. Pig shows a lot of wear and I do not have the key to see if the windup works. The toy is 11 inches long by 5 inches high and has glass eyes.

Here is the full ebay listing with many additional pictures of this Roullet & Decamps windup automaton pig.

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Leopold Lambert wind up clown automaton

We've featured a fair amount of antique automata by Roullet and Decamps of late. Indeed, they produced some wonderful automata, but they were not alone! In an effort to remedy the recent bias, here is a piece by another renowned automata firm: Leopold Lambert. This 26 inch tall clown automaton is currently available on ebay.

From the ebay description:

When the key is wound, and the knob pulled, the motion is activated. The left foot taps, the body moves forward and back at the waist, the right hand strums the guitar, the left hand slides up and down the guitar neck, the head rolls left to right, while nodding up and down. There is also slight tongue action, as the clown sticks the tongue out. The music is a typical slow waltz.

Here is where you can see more images and read more about this antique clown automaton by Lambert.

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Vintage motorized drinking bear automaton

Here is a motorized drinking bear automaton believed to be produced around 1932 by the Decamps firm. The bear measures about 14 inches tall, and is somewhat atypical in that it has white fur rather than brown or black.

The bear sure looks like it is drinking, but in reality, there is hole in the the bottom of the cup. A tube starting at this hole runs down the arm, across the back, up the right arm, and into the bottom of the bottle. The motion of raising one arm drains the liquid into the other, allowing the bear to drink endlessly. It's an ingenious design.

From the eBay description of this drinking bear:

The Decamps electric Dinking Bear is a fun automaton and one of a very few that uses water. Switch on his electric (120v AC) motor using the roller switch in the cord and the bear will raise his right arm pouring water out of the bottle and into the cup in his left hand. Then he raises his right arm, tips back his head bringing the cup to his mouth and “DRINKS” the water, and then tips the cup just a bit more as if trying to get the very last drop! You could color the water to your favorite drink color for a little extra fun!

Here is the full ebay listing with many photographs and a lengthy description of this vintage motorized drinking bear automaton

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1890's Roullet & Decamps leaping Lion automaton

Check out this wonderful antique lion automaton by the famous makers, Roullet & Dechamp.

Here is the full ebay listing for this Roullet & Decamps leaping Lion automaton.

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Knitting cat automaton by Roullet & Decamps

Here is a 12 inch tall knitting cat clockwork automaton made by the famous French firm of Roullet & Decamps. Who knew that cats could knit?

From the eBay description:

As one arm lowers and raises the needle, the other motions the partially finished knitting in and out, while the cat slowly turns its head left and right. There is a very small opening in the leather covering on the cat's upper left forearm (which may, or may not, be intentional) in order to allow the arm to bend at this particular spot.

Here's the full listing with a longer description and many more pictures of this Knitting cat automaton by Roullet & Decamps

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Roullet & Decamps leaping and growling tiger

This growling and leaping tiger is a nice example of an automaton made by the firm of Roullet et Decamps late in the 1800s. Personally, I want to know how the growling mechanism works!

From the eBay description:

When wound, the tiger starts by moving his head and lower jaw up and down, and then he slowly lowers himself to the floor. Once he is crouched down he makes a short growling sound and then leaps forward...startling everyone who is watching! This is a fun toy to demonstrate for your friends and he makes two or three jumps per winding. This tiger is the more rare and desirable version of this toy, having the opening mouth with teeth and growler. The other version of this tiger moves his head side to side, has a closed mouth and no growler. The body of the tiger is made of real animal fur covering a paper mache shell with the clockworks mounted on a wood platform that forms his underside. The legs are fur covered wood and the eyes are glass.

Here's where you can see many more pictures or place a bid on this Roullet & Decamps leaping tiger automaton.

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Musée de L'Automate in Souillac, France

The Musée de L'Automate in Souillac, France features a collection that dates from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The museum's primary focus is on the automata creations of the famous makers Roullet & Decamps.

Here's is a link to the Musee de L'Automate (in French). Here is a link to their videos page -- good in any language!

(Ed:You can learn a lot more about the Roullet et Decamps as well as the other prominent automata makers from France in Automata: The Golden Age 1848-1914.)

[ Thanks Dominique! ]

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Dolls in Motion: 1850 - 1915 by Florence Theriault

Here is a book on vintage automata that covers the many types of automata and some of the most prominent makers of the past. The book is no longer in print, but can easily be ordered used.

Automata themes covered include:
•Animal themes
•Clowns
•Dancing Dolls
•Drummers
•Magicians
•Musicians
•Pull toys
•Smoking Dolls
•Walking Dolls

Automata makers covered include:
•Jumeau
•Lambert
•Phalibois
•Renou
•Roullet & Decamps
•Simon & Halbig
•Theroude
•Vichy
•Zinner & Sohne

Here is where you can see inside or order the book Dolls in Motion.

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Realistic dachshund clockwork automaton

Made in Paris around 1900 by Roullet & Decamps, this is a life-sized paper-mâché automaton dog. The clockwork mechanism housed inside the dog's body makes it nod its head and open and shut his mouth -- as if panting -- for about 20 minutes.

Visit AutomatomaniA to see more images of this very realistic dachshund automaton.

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Roullet & Decamps pipe-smoking automaton

Automata that appeared to smoke were a common theme around the turn of the century. Here is a smoking automaton made by the famous firm of Roullet et Decamps.

From the eBay listing:

This ca. 1880 automaton by the quality makers, Roullet & Decamps, is in fully original condition. As described on pages 209-212 and page 321 of the Automata: The Golden Age 1848-1914 by Christian Bailly, the "Black Smoker" is a very rare automaton in this original condition. The "Smoker" has some fiber loss from the jacket and a small area of fiber separation on the left front shirt. When tobacco or a lighted cigarette is placed in the pipe and the mechanism activated, you are entertained by two different aires from a magnificent miniature musical movement.

Body movements include the eyes, lips, head and both arms. When the right arm with pipe is raised to the "Smokers" lips, the tobacco glows as the mechanism "inhales" the smoke. The eyes move in delight, the head moves from right to left, and the lips move (slightly) in anticipation. As the right arm is lowered, smoke billows from the lips as the "smoker" exhales.

Here is the complete listing on eBay for the Roullet & Decamps smoking automaton.

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Video of antique walking peacock automaton

I posted last month about an antique walking peacock automaton by Roullet and Decamps that was on eBay. I'm happy to report that the peacock has found a good home and will soon be getting a new coat of feathers.

Visit the AutomataMania Workshop to see more pictures of the walking peacock clockwork automaton.

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