The history of automatons, or self-operating machines, dates back to ancient times. One of the earliest known examples of an automaton is the mythical figure of Pygmalion's statue, which was said to have been brought to life by the Greek god Zeus. In the ancient world, automatons were also used as tools for entertainment, with examples such as the hydraulic singing birds of ancient Rome and the mechanical puppets of ancient China.

In the Middle Ages, automatons were used in clock towers and other public places to mark the passing of time and to entertain the public. Some more...

Automata include mechanically operated figures, mostly of the late 19th century, having a clockwork mechanism that moved their limbs, often with a musical accompaniment driven by a musical box movement. Amongst the popular subjects were sailors, piano players, women dancing, men smoking and comic monkeys. A separate genre was singing birds, where one or two were concealed in an ornate metal jewellery-style box and popped up, trilled and fluttered their wings when the device was operated. Another less common genre was in the form of an ornately framed oil painting that included several moving characters and perhaps the village more...

22 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A French automaton clock, circa 1900, a working model featuring…

French Automaton Clock: Husband and Wife Monkey Shoemakers

A French automaton clock, circa 1900, a working model featuring a husband and wife monkey shoemaker pair polishing and repairing shoes, on an ebonised wood base under a glass dome, with key, the mechanism 44 cm high, the dome 72 cm high

A French musical automaton of a girl at her dressing table,…

French Musical Automaton: 18th Century Girl at Dressing Table

A French musical automaton of a girl at her dressing table, 20th century, the figure in eighteenth century dress and holding a hand mirror and powder puff seated at her dressing table on which rests a mirror and other objects, mounted on a gilt plinth…

A British musical automaton of sailors dancing the Hornpipe,…

Musical Sailor Automaton Diorama

A British musical automaton of sailors dancing the Hornpipe, circa 1880, the glazed and gilt frame diorama displaying two painted metal sailors with articulated knees and hips, who dance to a music-box version of the hornpipe, with painted exotic harbour…

An automaton of a man drinking tea, Austrian, circa 1880, 42 cm…

Austrian Tea-Drinking Automaton, 1880

An automaton of a man drinking tea, Austrian, circa 1880, 42 cm high, 21 cm wide, 13 cm deep

A vintage sow and piglets automaton, electric motor driven,…

Vintage Pig Automaton Display

A vintage sow and piglets automaton, electric motor driven, used in 1950s-60s by an Auckland butcher for store front display. In working order, eyes, ears and tails move.

A French automaton timepiece made for the Spanish market, circa…

French Automaton Timepiece with Water Wheel and Bell

A French automaton timepiece made for the Spanish market, circa 1830, painted bronze finish with silk thread movement and fancy dial. Separate movement in the base drives the water wheel and simulated stream, as well as ringing the bell in the tower. Rare…

French automaton singing birdcage in gilt metal case, 20th…

Gilt metal singing birdcage automaton

French automaton singing birdcage in gilt metal case, 20th century, 26 cm high

Automaton Turkish magician with French musical clockwork…

Turkish-French Magician Automaton, 1890

Automaton Turkish magician with French musical clockwork movement, circa 1890, 48 cm high

Automaton 'Cobbler', from the Williams the Shoeman shop window…

Clockwork Cobbler Automaton from Yarrawonga Shop Display

Automaton 'Cobbler', from the Williams the Shoeman shop window display in Yarrawonga Victoria, clockwork mechanism, early 20th century, '55 cm high

Town Crier' French automaton figural mantel timepiece, bronze…

French Town Crier Automaton Mantel Clock, 1880

Town Crier' French automaton figural mantel timepiece, bronze finished metal, circa 1880, dial set in the stomach with automated arm ringing the alarm bell, 35 cm high

An antique French monkey violinist automaton, circa 1870s,…

French Monkey Violinist Automaton in Glass Dome

An antique French monkey violinist automaton, circa 1870s, marked made in France M & C to musical mechanism, housed in a large glass dome above an ebonised base, featuring the well, attired seated monkey with his violin within a naturalistic rockwork and…

A carved Austrian automaton fitted with a musical movement

Musical Austrian Automaton with Carvings

A carved Austrian automaton fitted with a musical movement

A Swiss domed musical automata, circa 1880s, a moulded and…

Swiss Musical Automata with Train, Ship and Mountain Scene

A Swiss domed musical automata, circa 1880s, a moulded and painted diorama of a mountain scene with a moving train with, carriages and a moving sailing ship in high seas to the fore beneath a part, painted and clear glass dome, the train, sailing ship and…

A French novelty automaton, 'The Painter', 19th century,…

The Monkey Painter Automaton

A French novelty automaton, 'The Painter', 19th century, modelled as a painter with the head of a monkey, painting at an easel. Ebonised oval base with glass dome, 66 cm high, 47 cm wide, 24 cm deep

An automaton, 19th century, scene with boat and village. The…

19th Century Boat and Village Automaton with Music Box

An automaton, 19th century, scene with boat and village. The ebonized base with music box all cased under plastic dome in two pieces, 61 cm high, 56 cm wide, 29 cm deep

A French glass cased automaton, circa 1900, village scene with…

French Glass Automaton with Music Box and Village Scene

A French glass cased automaton, circa 1900, village scene with music box in base, all beneath a glass dome, 59 cm high, 44 cm wide, 21 cm deep

Antique wood cased musical automata, with 2 female dancing…

Antique Musical Automata with Dancing Figures

Antique wood cased musical automata, with 2 female dancing figures,(dresses deteriorated), behind glass fronted wooden case. Appears operational. Height 35 cm, width 36 cm

A Reuge a Sainte-Croix music pocket watch, the open face pocket…

Reuge Music Pocket Watch with Automaton and Alarm

A Reuge a Sainte-Croix music pocket watch, the open face pocket watch depicting 'The huntsman's rest,' with musical automaton and alarm, Arabic numeral dial, mechanical jewelled lever movement, gold plated case, serial number 4798, signed Reuge, 57 mm,…

Automaton 'Whistling Man', carved and painted timber with clock…

Whistling Man Automaton

Automaton 'Whistling Man', carved and painted timber with clock work mechanism, most likely Swiss, 19th century. 44 cm

A 19th century automaton, Pierrot Serenading the moon, Gustav…

Pierrot Automaton Serenading Moon

A 19th century automaton, Pierrot Serenading the moon, Gustav Vichy, Paris, France, circa 1890, the figure dressed in a waistcoat and cap, perched on the crescent of the moon, the moon listening intently with moving lips and eyes as Pierrot plays his…

Automaton: Antique clockwork seated sailor with rocking head…

Rocking Sailor Automaton with Moving Eyes

Automaton: Antique clockwork seated sailor with rocking head and moving eyes; original cotton cloth uniform and hat; papier mache head and limbs with hand painted finish. Mechanism in good working order with key, needing some restoration to the appearance…

A rare enamelled metal automaton clock, American, circa 1900?,…

Enamelled Automaton Clock with Ansonia Works (9 words)

A rare enamelled metal automaton clock, American, circa 1900?, with Ansonia works. 41 x 27.5 cm