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A Victorian singing bird automaton clock, with tweeting birds amongst the boughs of a wirework and flower adorned rose bush, the clock within a rocky outcrop below, with a turning glass rod on one side simulating flowing water, on a naturalistic modern oval base, raised on a wooden socle housing the movement, not in working order, all within a glass dome, the dial face having Roman numerals and inscribed C.Detouche Fseur de L'Empereur, Rue St Martin 228 & 230, Paris, height approx 28insCondition report - The mechanism is not in working order and the birds are not guaranteed in moving and singing order. The fabric and birds are generally faded. It is sold with all faults. 

A monumental mid-19th century French rocking ship automaton clock, the silvreed 9cm dial with Roman numerals to a brass movement striking on a bell and with attachment to the automaton, the ormolu mounted and copper case decorated with a top section formed as a harbour in which the rocking ship sits, the body decorated with mermaids and Neptune masks, raised on four legs, (a/f), 45cm high

1950's US Zone Germany Schuco Rolly clockwork automaton mohair teddy bear modelled with walking stick and on roller skates, 19cm tall.  Condition Report:No key. When wound using molegrips it does bob its head but it does not move forward.

Schuco style clockwork automaton mouse, 10cm tall.

A Japanese Kobe toy automaton

A large German clockwork window display nodding Father Christmas automaton, with composition head and hands, blue painted eyes, wool plush hair and bears, a counter-weight cigar in mouth, carton body with papier-mâché boot on wooden base, red suit with cotton wool trim, right hand with hole to hold tree, now holding a Chocolate Besnier De Peretti sign of a girl dressed for winter holding a doll, the keywind mechanism causing the head to nod for many hours --31½in. (80cm.) high (slight crazing to face and crazing to arms)

WATERBURY CLOCK COMPANY - AUTOMATON DIAL an interesting American circular clock with metal case, with an automaton dial depicting a steam riverboat. Marked on the dial, Waterbury Clock Co, Pat May 15th 1888. 17cms high, dial 12.5cms diameter

A late 19th century silver singing bird automaton music box, probably German, in the manner of Karl Griesbaum, of shaped rectangular form, the top with oval hinged cover decorated with a figural scene, opening to reveal a feathered automated bird and pierced grill, the box repouss‚ decorated with birds amongst scrolling foliage, with applied opening catch in the form of a bird, hinged compartment to the reverse concealing a key, 10cm wide

the swan neck pediment above a silvered and foliate engraved dial with Roman numeral chapter ring and subsidiary seconds dial and date aperture, signed, the boss with a further aperture with an automaton ship labelled THE DREAD NAUGHT; the eight day twin-chain movement striking a bell229cm high, 49cm wide, 25cm deep

A RARE AND UNUSUAL GEORGE III AUTOMATON STRIKING BRACKET CLOCKBy Thomas Bray, Westminster, circa 1770The bell top case with handle surmount and four turned and engraved finials, above a glazed panel door with brass grille panels to the sides, on plinth base and brass bracket feet, the 6 3/4in. arched brass and painted dial with a scene of a farrier’s yard, furnace and two horses being shoed, above the silvered chapter ring enclosing the signature, above calendar aperture, blued steel hands, the twin train movement with foliate engraved backplate, fully signed Thomas Bray, Next St. Margarets Church Westminster, with verge escapement and strike on a bell54cm high Condition report:  The case is in good condition.  There are some small veneer repairs as would be expected in places.  The finials and mounts to the pediment may be later replacements?  The dial is in good condition.  There is some slight loss to edges on the painted automata panel.  The movement has been maintained well.  The automata engagement rod from the pendulum appears to be missing a soldered piece so partially works.  The other fine tapered metal wires appear to engage with each other. The movement ticks when wound and strikes.

Victorian style singing bird automaton, within a gilt metal cage, 27cm tall excluding loop

20th century singing bird automaton, housed in a brass bird cage, 28cm high

A Reproduction Automaton Birdcage Clock with Cloisonne Style Decoration, 20cm high

A walnut cased fountain clock by the Hamburg American Clock Company, with crossed arrows mark to the brass single train movement, a second movement beneath for the fountain automaton with barleytwist glass rod and gilt brass mask spout and bowl, silvered Arabic dial, in an architectural case, the box base housing the fountain, 12 3/8in. (31.5cm.) high. * Condition: Movement does run but only briefly - looks dirty and oily so will need cleaning and possibly other work. Fountain automaton working. Case good overall but dirty. Back of case missing two securing screws. Dial good. With key.

A novelty automaton clock by the Hamburg American Clock Company, or HAC, crossed arrows mark to the Roman dial, in carved beechwood, in the form of a town hall with a gilt brass bell mounted on the peaked roof, a carved wooden gentleman standing beside the building to ring the bell, 10½in. (26.7cm.) high, a/f. * Condition: Movement winds and runs. Strikes but not always correctly on the hour, so will need work. The hands are currently offset so that the minute hand does not correspond with the hours correctly. Back panel (which is screwed down) has also been glued, so we cannot remove it. Figure of the gentleman is off and has been glued back in place previously. One brass final from roof loose and wooden piece missing from in front of the bell to roof.

A scratch built automaton of May Day dancers: comprising two tiers of dancers with wooden castanets on their back around a central pole with push rod mechanism, 97cm high

An antique automaton under dome with moving windmill, watermill steam train and rocking boat, plays two tunes. 48 cm high.

A Vacheron Girod silver striking automaton pocket watch. 5.5 cm diameter.

Handmade electrically operated automaton of wood cutters, lathe turner, and man seated in a rocking chair L65cm H44cm complete with wooden carrying box

A Roullet et Decamps clockwork automaton pig: Length 26cm in original box and brass key.

A shop window advertising automaton, figure of Peter Pan, by repute working.

A pottery trumpet playing musical tramp automaton (plays when the saints go marching in)

Bank on John Deere painted cast automaton moneybox, H: 23 cm. P&P Group 3 (£25+VAT for the first lot and £5+VAT for subsequent lots)

A George III brass bound mahogany campaign writing box; a cast iron novelty automaton money bank, as a dentist and patient; various wristwatches

Birdcage automaton in gilt and white cage with bird on perch, H23cm

A singing birdcage automaton, 20th century, brass-cased, with a dome top, the round suspension loop above the top disc decorated with scrolls, the two singing birds, in yellow and red, the red slightly higher, amongst leaves and foliage, the circular base cast with garlands of flowers, raised on three short turned brass fee stamped to the base 'Reuge Music, Sainte Croix, Made in Switzerland', 25cm highCondition report: Loop chrome, cage appears OK, a few dents to the plinth. Birds feathers slightly worn. Red bird's breast feathers unstuck. The yellow bird has a missing eye. Has been working, but only appears to play at one pitch, we cannot guarantee this will continue to be the case due to the nature of the item.

An early 19th century mahogany Bracket Clock, signed A. Bartley, Bristol, of arched form, the white circular dial with Roman numerals, 'Rocking Ship' automaton to the arch, twin fusee movement striking on a bell, movement backplate with scroll engraving, the case with carved decoration, brass handles and side grills, on four turned feet, some damage and losses to case, clock lacks pendulum, 22in (56cm) high x 11¾in (30cm) wide x 7in (17.75cm) deep.

A reproduction singing bird in cage clock automaton, h.21cm

19th century Brown, Blondin & Co 'Leotard' sand toy automaton, modelled on the French acrobat Jules Leotard, with a painted surround and printed label 25cm x 20cm x 9cm

VITASCOPE ART DECO AUTOMATON CLOCK,circa 1940s, electric powered movement, the chrome chapter ring with Arabic numerals, below a perspex window revealing a three-masted ship on stormy seas, in a grey bakelite case, bearing stickers to the reverse, 31.2cm highCondition report: Condition good to fair.The case is with light age related wear. The Perspex screen may need slight adjustment. Chrome hands and chapter ring with wear too and may need slight polish.Mechamism and lamp working at time of testing.The case is in grey Bakelite.Additional images now available.

LATE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH GILT AND PATINATED METAL 'FOUNDRYMAN' AUTOMATON CLOCK,made by André Romain Guilmet, Paris circa 1890, the Roman numeral dial set within a coppered boiler with moveable fittings, the steamhammer, which forms part of the compound pendulumn, moving vertically up and down, the foundryman modelled in the process of flattening an iron rod which is held beneath the steel hammer, with two train eight day movement striking the hours and halves on a coil, movement is stamped on the backplate 'Medaille D’Or GLT Btf SG G Paris' for Guilmet and numbered 1677, on a black slate base, 42cm high, on a further lacquered base and under a glass domeCondition report: Condition generally good. Some deterioration to the numerals. Minor areas of tarnish and oxidisation as per age, though nothing of real concern. In or nibbles to slate base. One small screw missing to back right corner on base. Another minor rivet lacking from front automaton mechanism, though this is decorative. Bottom hinge of clocks rear door lacking, which means the door can be removed (does sit fine when in place).In good working order. Additional images available.

Karel Lek, British 20th Century, ‘Automaton Clown’. Oil on board, signed , 26x20

A singing bird Automaton within a domed gilt cage on a gilt wooden base, believed to be by J Lory of Paris, the bird having metal beak, glass eyes and natural feathers, standing o a dressed naturalistic perch, 22in H

An early Victorian flame mahogany oval musical automaton base, with cover reveals a fitted mechanism, front plaque marked change/stop, on bun feet, 9cm high, 44cm wide, 24cm deep. (AF)

John Maltby (1936 to 2020) (ARR), 31cm plus pendulum, c1980s painted wooden automaton of rocking ship at sea and harbour, Victoria & Albert, with swing pendulum

A late Victorian bird cage automaton, 27cm high, with yellow and red bird in the cage, appears to function but needs cleaning

A 19th Century French skeletonised Automaton quarter repeating pocket watch in a gold open faced case, marked K18 to the inner case, Either side of the dial are chased and engraved parcel gilt classical figures fixed above the decorative pierced and engraved plate and polished steel repeating work. As the watch strikes the hours and quarters the arms of the figures move as though striking the bells between them. (A/F).

A 'Vitascope' dioramic electric timepiece, Vitascope Industries Limited, Isle of Man, circa 1941-44, The interior with mains powered isochronous timepiece movement with take-off a gear fitted with a large cam for the automaton and worm drive for the horizontal rotating cylindrical lamp shade/filter positioned within a second compartment at the rear, the creamy light blue Bakelite case of Art-Deco rounded form with the front and top planes composed as a single sweeping curve incorporating a window enclosing automaton of a rocking clipper ship with background light changing in brightness and tone depending on the time of day, over simple dot chapter ring and Art Deco pierced metal hands, the sides with integral raised moulded panels and the rear with green painted aluminium cover applied with transfer trade label Vitascope, INDUSTRIES LTD. over another inscribed U.K. PATENTS, 550361, 580886, OTHER UK AND, FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING, 32cm high Provenance: The property of a private collector, Hertfordshire. The 'Vitascope' timepiece was first developed by J.S. Thatcher on the Isle of Man in 1941 and later improved by Joseph Summerskill between 1944 and 1944. They were manufactured from shortly after WWII on the Isle of Man by the newly established Vitascope Industries Limited until circa 1968 when the business was wound-up. The electrically powered clocks included automata that caused the ship to gently rock in the waves, and the backlighting changes to indicate the changing time of the day, and the sea is lit for both sunset and sunrise.

A Chinese famille rose porcelain side plate with figure scene, bird & floral decoration, 7¾” diam. together with a gilt-metal & glass rectangular jewellery casket, 3¾” wide; a bird-in-cage automaton; & two decorative ornaments, part w.a.f.

EARLY FRAMED ASPREY 1890 EXPOSITION AUTOMATON DOLL IN GILT FRAMED CASE

A painted wood model of a tiger India, 19th Centurythe recumbent creature facing forward with erect round ears, wide open eyes and slightly open mouth baring its teeth, the body with black and orange bubri motifs, the tail tucked in close to the body 74 cm. long; 28.1 cm. highFootnotes:Though the exact place of manufacture of the present lot is unknown, there is a strong stylistic similarity with the semi-automaton in the Victoria and Albert Museum known as 'Tippoo's Tiger', which was produced for Tipu Sultan between 1782 and 1799 (2545IS). It is possible that the musical box acted as a model for this later piece.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

An oak finished longcase with additions and alterations, swan neck pediment with brass paterae and brass ball and eagle finial, break arch hood door flanked by two mahogany pillars with brass capitals, trunk with a long flat topped door and circular lenticule on a skirted shaped plinth, 12� wide re-painted break arch dial with rocking ship automaton, dial with roman numerals and minute track, replacement steel hands, subsidiary second dial and semi circular date aperture with calendar disc behind, spandrels painted with representations of four galleons at sea, dial inscribed �S Collings, Thornbury�, dial pinned via a Finmore falseplate to a 19th century rack striking eight day longcase movement with a recoil anchor escapement striking the hours on a bell.With two semi-circular brass faced weights and pendulum.Height 207 cm

A large automaton Halloween pirate skeleton, mains powered but no lead so sold as untested, ideal display for Halloween

A polished brass-cased three singing birds automaton (appears to be in good working order) (27cm high)

A mixed lot of mainly toys to include an automaton, ping pong toy, miniature sewing machine models and other items

Advertising: An early 20th century, papier-mache automaton Fremlins Ale Elephant. With nodding head action. Some losses to body work. Measuring approx. 72cm length, 50cm height, 22cm depth.

A reproduction singing bird in cage clockwork automaton, height 18cmCondition report: Clockwork does not tick for long.

A 19th century novelty automaton walking stick, the substantial Black Forest type handle carved as the head of a parrot, articulated beak, glass eyes, malacca cane, 88cm long, c.1890

A 19th century French brass comtoise or morbier clock, 21cm enamel dial inscribed Aupech Dyon, Roman numerals, twin winding holes, 8 day movement striking on a gong, the case profusely embossed, automaton pendulum depicting a sportsman taking aim at a fowl, 134cm high overall, c.1890

Unrestored Matador Shop-Window Automaton ca. 1935. "Viel Spaß mit Matador" (Have Fun with Matador), wood construction with Matador components, 7 changing boards, driven by electric motor (probably defective, belt missing). Size: 49 x 29 x 60 cm. Condition: Unrestored.

A shop display automaton modelled as a Lost Boy from Peter Pan, with rubber head, faux fur body and platform bearing maker's label, arms and moving head, 31" tall, hair missing to back of head (Est. plus 21% premium inc. VAT)

A vintage sandbox automaton acrobat toy, 27cm high.

Sundry early-to-mid 20th Century watches including a Smith's Jamboree Boy Scout automaton watch and a leather watch strap

A reproduction birdcage automaton, 20cm high

A RARE FRENCH GILT BRASS, BRONZE AND ROSSO FRANCIA MARBLE NOVELTY AUTOMATON TIMEPIECE 'THE OARSMAN'Andre Romain Guilmet, Paris, retailed by Dibdin and Company, Limited, London late 19th centuryThe circular eight-day movement with inverted tic-tac escapement positioned to the lower edge of the mechanism connected via a cranked horizontal crutch to the figure of a sailor with a paddle standing towards the bow of the vessel suspended from crossover springs allowing it to oscillate back and forwards acting as a compound pendulum, the movement backplate stamped with inverted MEDAILLE D'OR, A R, GLT, B'TE, S.G.D.G. PARIS trademark, the 2.5 inch circular silvered Arabic numeral dial indistinctly inscribed with retailer's signature DIBDIN & CO LTD, 189 SLOANE STREET, SW 1 to centre and with blued steel spade hands set within canted bezel, the case finely modelled as a single-masted sailing vessel with drum housing the movement tied amidships beneath the rear spar, with gilt bulwark rail, rudder and bowsprit and the hull set within naturalistic ocean setting onto the stepped marble plinth with canted gilt pad feet.41cm (16ins) high, 38cm (15ins) long including bowsprit, 16.5cm (6.5ins) wide. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy Collection. Purchased from Christies, King Street, sale of Important Clocks and Marine Chronometers including a Fine Collection of Industrial, Automata and Astronomical Clocks 4th July 2007 (lot 82) for £4,800. Andre Romain Guilmet was born on the 10th of December 1827 in La Ferte-Gaucher, France. He was a credited as a watchmaker and inventor who specialised in producing novelty and mystery clocks for which he applied for a number of patents for designs. Amongst his other Patents was that for a bicycle where the driving chain was set below the seat. He is best known for his 'mysterieuse' figural clock with glass pendulum, this takes the form of a woman holding pendulum in her outstretched hand and arm over a marble base containing the clock below. The pendulum is impulsed by the mechanism underneath her that moves the figure imperceptibly from side to side (see following lot). Guilmet's industrial series of clocks, which includes the current lot, features automated clocks in the form of windmills, lighthouses, automobiles, boats, steam hammers, boilers, etc. Another 'oarsman' automaton timepiece is illustrated in Roberts, Derek Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks, Schiffer on page 254, (figure 22-1); and a further example was sold at Sotheby's New York The Joseph M. Meraux Collection of Rare and Unusual Clocks, 28 June 1993, (lot 54).Condition Report: Movement is in clean working condition with no evidence of alteration or significant replacements. The dial has some light surface rubbing/scratching causing some of the retail signature to be lost otherwise is in good original condition; the glass/crystal is no longer present. The case is generally in fine original condition with only very slight discolouration and wear to the original gilt and patinated finishes. The marble has a small filled corner chip to the rear upper right hand edge of the base as well as a few very small edge chips otherwise is in fine condition. Timepiece is complete with integral winding key and figural pendulum. Condition Report Disclaimer

A FRENCH CHARLES X ORMOLU AND PATINATED BRONZE FUGURAL MANTEL CLOCK WITH WATER SPOUT AUTOMATONUnsigned, Paris, circa 1830The circular eight-day countwheel bell striking movement with anchor escapement regulated by disc bob pendulum incorporating silk suspension, the backplate stamped with serial number 98 to lower margin, set above a second rectangular going barrel mechanism driving the automaton feature controlled by a pull/push lever set to the left hand side of the case, the gilt dial with concentric engine-turned centre within chapter ring cast with Roman cartouche numerals set within a floral band and with steel fleur-de-lys hands, the rectangular plinth form case with gilt surmount cast as a garlanded amorino holding a paddle reclining beside an upturned vessel pouring water and objects symbolic of the arts, over repeating lotus-leaf ogee cornice and cornucopia cast upper quadrant mounts above the dial and grotesque mask issuing revolving clear spiral rod 'water jet' glanced by upturned dolphin terms beneath, the rectangular base projecting at the front to provide a 'cistern' with aperture bordered with naturalistically cast reeds and fronted with a gilt repeating Gothic arch fretwork panel incorporating twin swan and scroll decoration to lower margin, on shallow gilt repeating leaf cast ogee-topped skirt base over dolphin cast front feet.57cm (22.5ins) high, 25cm (10ins) wide, 19cm (7.5ins) deep. Provenance: The Selwyn Demmy Collection.Condition Report: The movement is in relatively clean working condition with no obvious evidence of significant alteration or replacements. The automaton movement is operational however the rotation of the rod is a little lazy/laboured hence a gentle clean/service is advised. The automaton appears to only operate on demand (by pulling the plunger); the clear twisted rod also appears to be a replacement made from Perspex rather than glass. The engine-turned disc that forms the dial centre is a little loose in its housing otherwise dial is in good original condition with only very light discolouration/wear to the castings. The case is generally in good original condition. The surmount has noticeable wear/discolouration to the gilding, otherwise wear is generally very light. The rear push-on cover (concealing the movement) is a little loose when fitted but appears undamaged.Clock has pendulum but no winding key. Condition Report Disclaimer

Vintage toys to include a 'Magic Dancer' automaton music box with harlequin and doves in hands which dances when lower drawer is opened, family table skittles by Casdon, skittle, three balls and a numbered jack in wooden case (af), eleven books 'The Broons', 1980s, and five 'Oor Wullie' books. CONDITION REPORT Books - sold on behalf of Barnardos charity and most have charity barcode to front some in poor condition.'Oor Wullie' books.- all foxed three with title pages, two without, one cover coming awayBroons - one cover page missing , some covers coming away or loose

Thirteen vintage Black Forest style novelty and automaton bottle stops, four with painted porcelain heads to include a school master, a blond haired boy with moving eyes smoking a cigar, another gentleman, a horse's head, three mechanical examples including one with a Scottie dog that stands up to reveal a sign saying 'Bottoms Up', one with an elder gentleman who raises his neck and lowers his jaw when a lever is pressed, the other a donkey whose head moves when the tail is lifted, etc, also a Black Forest style painted wooden novelty pipe (14).

A Swiss silver plated automaton musical box: of serpentine outline decorated with putti in forest glades, the oval hinged top enclosing a singing bird that rises, sings and returns to the chest, raised on scroll and acanthus decorated feet, 11cm wide, contained in its morocco case.

A Reproduction Chinese Birdcage Automaton Clock with Cloisonne Band Decoration, 20cm high