Hand-cranked paper bellows bird call project by Rob Ives

Here's another great mechanical paper design by Rob Ives called the "Twitterer Type 3". This one really sounds like a tweeting bird!

From the project page:

In the previous blog post I showed a design for a crank driven bellows to be used at the heart of a bird box project. I have taken that basic design and made it more sturdy. I liked the way the bellows in the previous model were completely visible so I've fitted the crank to the inside of a box but kept the bellows on a pair of slide rails outside the box. You can see the result in animated action on Instagram by clicking the picture to the left.

If you are a Member of Rob's site, you can download the parts to make this project. An annual membership to Rob's site, which provides access to LOT of amazing paper projects, is $14.95 per year. Here is where you can see the step-by-step instructions for the Twitterer Type 3.

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Automaton bird plays hide-and-seek with a caterpillar

I can't say much about who made this piece other than the maker is Tetsu Yamakami . Most of the text in the video appears to be Japanese. The piece itself is wonderful. From the carving, to selection of wood types, and distinctive pegged wood frame, it's all nicely done. I particularly like the use of sound -- a bird call -- to bring the piece to life.

See additional mechanical wooden creations by Tetsu Yamakami at this web site.

Thanks to philsing for help with the artist's name!

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Pneumantic chirping birds automaton by the ancient Greeks

The design of this piece is usually attributed to Hero of Alexandria, though the web site from which this comes attributes it to another great inventor form antiquity, Philo of

About the owl and bird automaton:

For the operation of the automaton, water from a spring was driven inside the upper airtight container forcing the air to leave through a pipe. Because the pipe-flute led to water, the oscillating wavelength produced a chirp with notes of different frequency. Then when the water level exceeded the curved siphon of the container, it emptied through it to the intermediate container, diverting a yoke to the side. This forced the built-in rotating shaft supporting the owl to turn towards the birds that then stopped chirping. When the water level exceeded the axial siphon of the intermediate container, it emptied through to the lower container, diverting the yoke towards its counterweight, which caused the owl to turn away from the birds that then began to sing again, etc.

This is quite a beautiful reproduction!

See more great inventions on this site about ancient Greek technology.

[ Thanks again, Thomas!]

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Jaquet Droz makes the world's first singing bird wrist watch!

Did you see the exquisite automaton wrist watch by Jaquet Droz I posted about back in December of 2012? If not, here is where you can check out the watch. The company has done it again as you can see from the video shown above of a different bird automaton watch. Called The Charming Bird, it is the world's first singing bird automata wristwatch.

Here is a short interview with Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Jaquet Droz. In the video, we see a new large automaton the company has built in order to promote some of the very small ones they are putting into watches.

Jaquet Droz is a name long associated with automata and it's nice to see the company continuing to honor this history.

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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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The finest bird song of 1890 produced by lovely brass mechanism

Our friend Michael Start over at The House of Automata created this lovely video of a a singing bird mechanism. During the course of the bird's song, we get a 360 degree view of this ingenious device.

According to his description, the mechanism was made about 120 years ago in Paris. It is most likely the work of Bontems, a distinguished maker of bird automata.

An expert at horology and automata, Start restored the mechanism, though it was rusted and seized when he received. It is very common that the fine leather used for the bellows dries, cracks, and leaks on these singing bird mechanisms. He notes with surprise that the bellows were in good condition.

If you are curious about what the rest of a singing bird mechanism looks like, check out this post featuring a video on How Singing Birds are Made.

[ Thanks Mauricio! ]

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Fluttershy's Bird Choir - a new My Little Pony themed wood automaton

Did you see the My Little Pony wood automaton I posted back in June? Here is the another by the same artist. It is an unexpected sub-genre that is wonderfully incongruous. Whether you agree or not, just look at the craftsmanship!

From the YouTube description:

This third piece in my pony automaton series proved to be the most difficult to design and make by far as I wanted to match Fluttershy's grandiose reputation. Other than the typical moving parts, her bird choir actually sings! The characters, box (stand) and fence are carved out of Philippine mahogany as are the cams, bellows and slide whistle. The gear train and lever arms are made of Narra hardwood. Fluttershy stands at 6"; with the entire display it measures 10 1/4" high, 8 1/2" long, and 4" wide. The entire piece took me a staggering 182 hours to complete.

This very complex and well made automaton is currently for sale on ebay. Check out the pictures and description or just go ahead and buy this one-of-a-kind creation. Here is the eBaby listing for the Fluttershy's Bird Choir wood automaton.

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Bird Song with a Found Feather by Martin Smith with Laikingland

How would you like to wake up in the morning at just the right time to the sound of a beautiful birdsong? That was the idea behind Bird Song with a Found Feather by artist Martin Smith -- to create a mechanically-operated slide whistle that can be set and activated to go off at a specific time.

The piece as described by Martin Smith:

I wanted a piece that could be set, as with an alarm clock, and would allow you start the day gently. I am interested in producing mechanical bird sounds and seeing the cause and effect through a mechanism. For me the making is very important and I wanted to craft every part of the machine, to understand how the bellows are constructed and operate and to get the bird whistle sounding just right.

The piece is made of steel, brass, fabric, custom electrics a feather, and is powered by a 12v motor. It is a beautifully crafted machine with big brass cams. The feather (shown at right) is attached to a long wire coming from the top of the bellows.

Laikingland will be exhibiting this and other new pieces by Maarten Baas and Martin Smith at Mint as part of the London Design Festival 2012.

What:
Mint presents A Spatial Surprise

When:
September 14th to September 30th, 2012

Where:
Mint
2 North Terrace
Alexander Square
London SW3 2BA

For information on price and availability you may contact the Laikingland team at enquiries@laikingland.co.uk

[ Thanks Mike! ]

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French automaton of singing taxidermy bird in brass cage

Phalibois is a famous name in the history of automata. Apparently the father and son team made some singing bird automata to compliment their more typical automata which depicted monkeys, tight-rope walkers, and conjurers.

From the eBay description:

Here is a very rare to find "Jean Phalibois" (French made) bird automaton. An amazing work of J. Phalibois (most likely would date it around 1890 or even earlier). This is a very unique larger-size bird cage (brass wire cage on a molded plaster and wood decorative base). It is a rare and nice high-end cage. This bird is authentic/original taxidermy bird with amazing condition. The whole original taxidermy bird was installed on a brass bird body with inside mechanism (A very rare bird! Please, we welcome a bird expert contact us, to give us information about what kind of bird is this.) Real natural feathers (iridescence blue/green wing feathers, iridescence head, chest and neck feathers and some iridescence tail feathers. They change colors depending on the light. Pictures do not do justice to these beautiful feathers. Looks beautiful and very attractive. The bird, flooring, cage, bellows and the Mechanical parts are all original and in excellent condition. Bellows and the clock-work automation work perfectly like new. Overall condition is undamaged and truly excellent, with the slight patina of age. This is a true antique, not a reproduction, and one that is sure to appreciate in value over time.

Here is where you can see many more pictures and two additional videos of this French automaton of singing taxidermy bird in brass cage.

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Four beautiful singing bird boxes featuring tiny automaton birds

Four antique singing bird boxes like the one shown in the video will be included in today's auction hosted by Skinner.

Here are images of the actual singing bird boxes going to auction:

Contained within these small, elegant music boxes is a complex mechanism and bellows which provide mechanical movement to the bird, wings, tail and beak while pumping air through a tiny slide-whistle, which provides the sound. Most of these are German made. They are estimated to be worth between $400 to $1,200 each.

Here are the auction details
Date: June 2, 2012, 10am
Preview Times:
   June 2, 2012, 8am - 9:30am
Location: 274 Cedar Hill Street, Marlborough, MA

Here is the Skinner's Science, Technology & Clocks page where the online catalog may be viewed.

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Profile of the Jaquet-Droz: master watch, clock, and automata makers

If you missed this video the other day over at the excellent Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik blog, it is a must see. The film documents some of the achievements of the famous Jaquet-Droz family of watchmakers.

The list of accomplishments outlined in this 13 minute film is astounding. Among other things, the Jaquet-Droz are credited with:

• The first sing bird autoamta
• The first singing bird watch
• The self-winding watch
• The Writer automaton
• The Draftsman automaton
• The Musician automaton
• The pump winding system for watches

This is only a partial list to which we must add numerous advances in watchmaking technology, and supreme artistry in the aesthetic elements of watches and clocks. Finally, though the film does not mention it, Henri Maillardet, creator of the drawing automaton that was the inspiration for the one in the film Hugo, spent time as a young man working in Pierre Jaquet-Droz's workshop. Maillardet doubtless learned much of what he needed to know to build his own drawing automaton from the Jaquet-Droz.

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Singing bird automaton in progress by Bliss Kolb

Here's the latest bird-themed automaton from artist Bliss Kolb. Pictures for now, but video is on the way, so stay tuned.

From the artist:

The bird has six movements and sings a simple bird song. Still to do: the branch will be covered with paper mache and filled out with leaves. The bird, branch, base, and handle will be painted.

See more sculpture by Bliss Kolb on his web site.

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Somewhat mysterious singing bird music box

OK...so maybe not everyone has the $5.8 million dollars required to by something like the pair of singing bird pistols attributed to Frères Rochat. That doesn't mean you can't dream of a miniature mechanized singing bird of your own. Here's a beautiful example that can be yours for a fraction of the price. What that is...well...it's probably changed by now, so I'll let you see for yourself.

The ebay description is a little mysterious, but based on the current number of bids and the amount, I would say that there are people out there who know exactly what this is and that is worth something.

Quality automaton Music Box possibly from France or Germany. Gilded finish bronze box, bombe sides, fleur de lis decoration. A slide switch releases an hinged oval panel on the top. Bird stands for the duration of the tune. Found in the original cloth lined storage box along with the key (for winding) that is fitted in the hinged cover. Black exterior. Unsigned.
Music Box is 4"W x 1-1/4"H x 2-1/2"D.

Here's the full listing with many nice photographs of this somewhat mysterious singing bird box.

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$6 million dollar singing bird pistol automata

This pair of singing bird automaton pistols made the rounds all over the internet a few weeks ago. I didn't post about them at the time because they seem to be so well covered. Even so, I would be remiss in my duties if I never shared them here on The Automata / Automaton Blog. Perhaps a few of you missed these astounding works of mechanical art? Prepare to be dazzled.

Created by Frères Rochat of Geneva, Switzerland around 1820, this is the only known pair of of singing bird pistol of their kind. The matched set is made of materials that include precious metals, diamonds and pearls. After winding and pulling the trigger, a tiny bird -- complete with real feathers -- pops out of the barrel, flaps its wings and tail, spins about, and opens its beak while singing a realistic birdsong. All of this in an incredibly small scale. What's more, the set is in unbelievably good condition. Do watch the video included here. Amazing.

So what is a rare treasure like this worth? Christie's auctioned the set off last month for $5.8 million USD in what was described as an epic bidding war between two prominent collectors.

Here is a link on the Christie's web site about the Singing Bird Pistols by Frères Rochat

[ Thanks Thomas! ]

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Book: Mechanical Singing-bird Tabatières

Yesterday, we featured a video showing the mechanism of a singing bird box in action. Curious to learn more, I looked around for a book on the subject. I do not have this book, but I have it on good authority that Mechanical Singing-bird Tabatières by Geoffrey Mayson is one of the best references on the subject with color photographs and detailed illustrations showing the inner workings of all varieties of singing bird, from the early to modern versions.

Here is where you can see a few additional photos from the book Mechanical Singing-Bird Tabatieres. Check out the singing bird derringer!

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Video peek inside a singing bird box automaton

Here's a great video of a singing bird box automaton. In the latter half, the automaton is running with the mechanism fully exposed. Fascinating!

This is the first of a series of films that will feature the mechanical instrument collection at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona.

You can learn more about the Musical Instrument Museum on their web site.

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Chirping Bird Automaton by Bliss Kolb

A few days ago, we featured a crow automaton by artist Bliss Kolb. Here is another piece by Bliss Kolb which features the same excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. He's got a way with birds!

See more automata by Bliss Kolb on his web site.

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Antique caged bird automaton from Germany

I like to post about these singing bird automata every now and then to remind myself to learn more about them. I have yet to place a bid on one, but -- one day -- I will have one of these of my own!

From the ebay description:

It is a bird in brass wire birdcage that sings, chirps and turns its head, beak and tail flutters around. It is made in Germany by UKA, which has a brass plate on the bottom. Considering its age -- over 80 or 90 years -- it is in excellent condition. Some bars are simple solid and then twisted wires every 4. The base has 3 feet and embossed floral designs. The green felt is dusty but in very good condition. The birdcage is 12 inches high and the base is 7 inches in diameter. Bottom of base says UKA Germany.

Here is the ebay listing for this antique singing bird automaton from Germany.

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How It's Made video shows how mechanical singing birds are constructed

One of my favorite TV shows, How It's Made, covered mechanical singing birds. Check out the video above for a step-by-step view of how these mechanical marvels are constructed.

Here's a link to the singing bird tag on this blog, where you will find a great many examples!

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Antique German singing bird music box automaton

I continue to dream of owning my own singing bird automaton. I like the full sized birds in the cages, but I especially like the miniature ones that come in contained in a little box. Here is a German-made variety measuring 4 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inces by 2 1/2 inches. The bird itself is just one inch long!

From the item description:

Blue with Cream Enamel Trim. There are few chips in the enamel. The Bird has a color red, yellow, green tan black feathers with a red stone eye, turns side to side with beak moving. There is a blue stone on the top and blue stone handle in the pull out draw. Condition is consistent with the age. Few chips on the enamel but overall condition is excellent.

Here is the full ebay listing for this antique singing bird music box automaton

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