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...

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...

84 items found:

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

Antique large singing bird in a cage automaton feather bird on…

Antique Singing Bird Automaton on Brass Perch with Floral Base

Antique large singing bird in a cage automaton feather bird on a brass perch, the cage raised on a octagonal gilt timber base with in relief floral decoration, together with key working when tested, height 51.5 cm

Rare antique musical bird singing sewing box with inlaid brass…

Antique Musical Bird Singing Sewing Box with Inlaid Brass

Rare antique musical bird singing sewing box with inlaid brass and mother of pearl top, with internal fitted compartments and accessories, keys available not working when tested

German automaton singing bird in cage, with bird perched on…

Gilt Cage Automaton: Singing Bird in Perched Foliate Surrounds

German automaton singing bird in cage, with bird perched on branch with foliate surrounds, set within a gilt cage, when wound the bird moves and sings, height 30 cm

19th century European singing bird Automation, singing bird in…

19th Century European Singing Bird Automation in Cage with Music

19th century European singing bird Automation, singing bird in cage with wind up musical mechanism, height 30 cm

An antique musical bird cage with taxidermy canary on gilded…

Antique Musical Bird Cage with Taxidermy Canary on Gilded Base

An antique musical bird cage with taxidermy canary on gilded timber base, height 49 cm no key to wind musical mechanism

An exceptional sterling silver singing automaton bird, Germany,…

Sterling Silver Singing Automaton Bird with Ornate Case

An exceptional sterling silver singing automaton bird, Germany, early 20th century the case with repousse decoration of foliate scrolls on all sides and the lid. The key in the form of a bird. Working order. 925 silver - 544g. 5.5 x 11.5 x 7 cm

A gold plated possibly German automated bird song musical box,…

German Gold Plated Automated Bird Song Musical Box

A gold plated possibly German automated bird song musical box, width 10.5 cm. Comes with winding key

Kaiser German automaton bird cage alarm clock, brass cage…

Kaiser Brass Bird Cage Alarm Clock with Automaton Bird

Kaiser German automaton bird cage alarm clock, brass cage raised on three feet, interior with small bird. Unmarked 14 cm

A rare German gilt-metal and enamelled singing-bird box…

Rare German Enamelled Singing-Bird Box by Karl Griesbaum

A rare German gilt-metal and enamelled singing-bird box attributed to Karl Griesbaum, the bird with multi-coloured plumage; the beak, wings, tail and body articulated, concealed in a decoratively enamelled case. The hinged lid painted with a menage a…

Swiss movement tortoiseshell singing bird box mid 19th century,…

Tortoiseshell Singing Bird Box with Swiss Movement

Swiss movement tortoiseshell singing bird box mid 19th century, the tortoiseshell and silver gilt rectangular case with a central hinged oval lid engraved with little birds in flight, opening to reveal a brightly coloured animated singing bird 10 x 6.5 cm…

Karl Griesbaum (German), gilt and enamel singing bird box,…

Enamel Singing Bird Box by Karl Griesbaum

Karl Griesbaum (German), gilt and enamel singing bird box, early 20th century, the lid depicting a courting couple in a rural landscape, concealing the singing bird, the sides decorated with landscape vignettes, impressed Kg bird mark for Karl Griesbaum,…

A fine silver gilt musical automaton bird box with drawer…

Silver gilt automaton bird box with musical function and drawer

A fine silver gilt musical automaton bird box with drawer tested more than 85%, height 10 cm, width 15 cm, depth 11 cm

A vintage bird in cage musical box, height 29 cm, in good…

Vintage Musical Bird Cage - Singing Bird with Moving Head

A vintage bird in cage musical box, height 29 cm, in good working order, birds sings and head moves,

A Swiss automaton musical bird cage. Height 23 cm.

Swiss Musical Bird Cage - 23cm Height

A Swiss automaton musical bird cage. Height 23 cm.

Automation singing birds on a branch amongst foliage in cage…

Singing Birds in Automated Foliage Cage

Automation singing birds on a branch amongst foliage in cage (both birds moving)

A German gilt-metal and enamelled singing-bird box attributed…

Enamelled Singing-Bird Box by Karl Griesbaum

A German gilt-metal and enamelled singing-bird box attributed to Karl Griesbaum, the bird with multi-coloured plumage, beak, wings, tail and body movements concealed in a decoratively enamelled case painted with figures and landscape vignettes framed by…

Automaton golden twin bird cage decorated with jewelling

Golden Jewelled Twin Bird Cage Automaton

Automaton golden twin bird cage decorated with jewelling

A late 19th century French automaton musical bird cage, the two…

French Musical Bird Cage Automaton, 19th Century

A late 19th century French automaton musical bird cage, the two feathered birds amongst foliage, in good working order, height 28 cm

A reproduction bird cage clock automata with two Oscillating…

Oscillating Birds Clock Automata with Box

A reproduction bird cage clock automata with two Oscillating birds, with box, height 17 cm

A reproduction bird cage clock automata with two Oscillating…

Oscillating Birds Clock Automata in Box

A reproduction bird cage clock automata with two Oscillating birds, in box, height 17 cm

French singing birdcage timepiece with two birds, 19th century,…

19th Century French Singing Birdcage Clock with Two Birds

French singing birdcage timepiece with two birds, 19th century, full whistle, setting for intermittent, 50 cm high

A vintage French champleve cage bird clock (working)

French Champleve Bird Clock - Vintage & Working

A vintage French champleve cage bird clock (working)

A German singing bird cage automaton by Karl Griesbaum 20th…

German Singing Bird Cage Automaton by K. Griesbaum

A German singing bird cage automaton by Karl Griesbaum 20th century Manufacturer's marks to base, featuring a faux bird perched on a brass stand with faux twigs and berries, the brass cage raised on three brass feet 28 cm high

An enamel gilt silver singing bird box, Swiss 935 'T' coronet…

Enamel Gilt Silver Singing Bird Box with Porcelain Cover

An enamel gilt silver singing bird box, Swiss 935 'T' coronet mark, the porcelain covered oval flap revealing a singing bird and a pierced grille, height 4 cm, length 11 cm.

French singing birdcage automaton with one bird in fine gilded…

Gilded French Singing Birdcage Automaton, 19th Century

French singing birdcage automaton with one bird in fine gilded cage, 19th century, 45 cm high

French singing birdcage timepiece with two birds, 19th century,…

19th Century French Singing Birdcage Timepiece with Two Birds

French singing birdcage timepiece with two birds, 19th century, 50 cm high

A 19th century French eight airs music box, the floral…

French 19th Century Music Box with Marquetry Inlay

A 19th century French eight airs music box, the floral marquetry inlay lid with banded borders, the eight tunes listed on the original card to the interior lid - 'Romeo et Juliette, etc., the mechanism with seven graduating bells struck by bird form…

A rare late 19th century French Bontems singing bird…

French Singing Bird Tortoiseshell Box

A rare late 19th century French Bontems singing bird tortoiseshell box, the case of rectangular form, slide bar switch to the front releasing the hinged lid and exposing the iridescent feathered singing bird, with articulated wings and accompanying…

An automaton bird cage clock. Height 17 cm.

Miniature Automaton Bird Cage Clock

An automaton bird cage clock. Height 17 cm.

An automaton bird cage clock. Heigth 18 cm.

Automaton Bird Cage Clock - 18cm Height

An automaton bird cage clock. Heigth 18 cm.

Reuge Sainte-Croix, musical movement bird cage automaton, 20th…

Musical Bird Cage Automaton, Reuge Sainte-Croix, 20th Century

Reuge Sainte-Croix, musical movement bird cage automaton, 20th century, with bird on perch, in working order, height 28 cm

A Songbird in a gilded cage automaton, post 1950, with…

Gilded Cage Songbird Automaton

A Songbird in a gilded cage automaton, post 1950, with trademark of Robert & Otto Eschle, a single red and black feathered bird emitting a realistic sonorous call, housed in a gilded cage with a cabochon jewelled base, with winding mechanism, to operate…

A German 'Singing Bird' in a gilded cage, mid 20th century, in…

Gilded German Singing Bird Cage

A German 'Singing Bird' in a gilded cage, mid 20th century, in the style of Karl Griesbaum two songbirds in red and yellow perched amidst foliage on velvet, with an ornate lobed base with relief ornamentation upon a textured ground and studded with red…

A French singing bird clock, circa 1900, three singing birds in…

French Singing Bird Clock with Waterfall and Mirror Pond

A French singing bird clock, circa 1900, three singing birds in a gilded cage with twist glass waterfall into mirror pond. Bird in tree singing while birds on the ground are feeding and drinking from pond. Gilt wood base with French striking eight day…

Two French singing birds, Bontham, circa 1900, coin operated…

Coin-Operated French Singing Birds in Gilded Cage

Two French singing birds, Bontham, circa 1900, coin operated singing birds in gilded cage, 67 cm high, 26 cm wide, 26 cm deep

French two coin operated singing birds, circa 1900, two birds…

Antique French Coin-Op Singing Birds in Gilded Cage

French two coin operated singing birds, circa 1900, two birds in gilded cage with wooden base, 59 cm high, 25 cm wide, 25 cm deep

A Symphonion Schutz-Marke disc music box with six discs, circa…

Antique German Disc Music Box with Inlaid Walnut Casket

A Symphonion Schutz-Marke disc music box with six discs, circa 1900, Germany, maker's stamps to discs, the walnut casket inlaid with bird and foliage motifs to the lid, with decorative three-quarter pillars to the edges and cast bronze handles, the…

A rare late 19th century Swiss singing bird music box, the…

Late 19th Century Swiss Singing Bird Music Box

A rare late 19th century Swiss singing bird music box, the crisp-tooled gilt metal engraved case of rectangular form, slide button switch to the front releasing the hinged lid and exposing the iridescent feathered singing bird, with articulated bone beak,…

A musical bird cage automata, two birds within a gilt cage, not…

Gilt Cage Musical Automata with Non-Working Birds

A musical bird cage automata, two birds within a gilt cage, not in working order

A c.1920 gilt metal and blue enamelled singing bird box, the…

Enamelled Singing Bird Box with Gilt Metal - Working

A c.1920 gilt metal and blue enamelled singing bird box, the pull button mechanism operates the lid revealing a moving and singing bird, working. With key. 10 x 6.5 x 4.3 cm

An vintage singing bird automaton, 20th century, probably…

Antique Singing Bird Automaton in Silvered Alpacca Box

An vintage singing bird automaton, 20th century, probably German made, a small silvered 'Alpacca' box with engraved details, with key winder and a pop up oval lid enclosing a brightly coloured moving bird that emits realistic bird song operated by tiny…

A mid 20th century musical bird cage automata, no sound

Musical Bird Cage Automata (no sound)

A mid 20th century musical bird cage automata, no sound

A rare mid-century German musical automaton Birdcage, with…

German Musical Birdcage with Singing Birds (9 words)

A rare mid-century German musical automaton Birdcage, with singing birds. Height 30 cm

An antique French bird music cage together with a vintage glass…

French Bird Music Cage with Glass Dome Stand

An antique French bird music cage together with a vintage glass dome on footed circular timber stand, in working order, two tunes, winds at bottom, height 28 cm

A 19th century Swiss caged bird clock c. 1880, brass wire with…

Swiss Caged Bird Clock, 19th Century

A 19th century Swiss caged bird clock c. 1880, brass wire with central revolving ivory disc around an hour pointer, this moves in tune with the clock escapement, height 14.5 cm

Swiss Reuge musical two birds automaton in cage, 27 cm high…

Swiss Reuge Musical Birds in Working Cage

Swiss Reuge musical two birds automaton in cage, 27 cm high approx, working when tested

Reuge Sainte Croix musical movement bird cage made in…

Swiss Birdcage Musical Movement with Singing Birds

Reuge Sainte Croix musical movement bird cage made in Switzerland. Two birds with real feathers, both sing & move during intervals on two different levels in a gilt brass birdcage surrounded by violets. Engraved 'Reuge music Sainte Croix made in…

Swiss Reuge musical two birds automaton in cage, 29 cm high, as…

Swiss Reuge Musical Bird Automaton in Cage

Swiss Reuge musical two birds automaton in cage, 29 cm high, as inspected

A Swiss singing bird automaton, first half of the 20th century,…

Swiss Singing Bird Automaton, 20th Century

A Swiss singing bird automaton, first half of the 20th century, 22 cm high

Twin bird automaton woking movement and sound, approx 26 cm high

Chirping Twin Bird Automaton - 26cm

Twin bird automaton woking movement and sound, approx 26 cm high

A Victorian gilt bird automata base with clockwork mechanism,…

Victorian Gilt Bird Automata Column Base

A Victorian gilt bird automata base with clockwork mechanism, base shaped like a column, with old wooden bird no feathers. Diameter 29 cm

19th century musical bird automaton cherub embossed gilt hinged…

Gilt Cherub Bird Automaton with Singing Bird

19th century musical bird automaton cherub embossed gilt hinged cover opening to reveal singing bird 70 x 100 x 35 mm

Victorian coin-operated singing bird automaton, in working…

Victorian Singing Bird Automaton from Bryan Jackson Collection

Victorian coin-operated singing bird automaton, in working order. Provenance: Bryan Jackson collection of music boxes and toys

French musical automaton girl with bird in basket, by Leopold…

Musical Automaton Girl with Bird and Flowers

French musical automaton girl with bird in basket, by Leopold Lambert, c. 1900, the bisque-headed girl has blue glass eyes, open mouth, blonde mohair wig, bisque arms and hands and composition torso and legs, she is holding a basket containing a feathered…

Rare French glass dome singing bird automaton with clock, made…

Antique French Singing Bird Automaton with Clock and Birds

Rare French glass dome singing bird automaton with clock, made by Bontems, c. 1890, Arranged on an ebonised base with six birds in a leafy tree, the birds variously move and fly. The dome has been repaired, the spring drive mechanism has been replaced…

Singing bird automaton, with brass cage, probably German.…

German Singing Bird Automaton in Brass Cage

Singing bird automaton, with brass cage, probably German. Provenance: Bryan Jackson collection of music boxes and toys

French singing bird automaton, with two birds in a brass cage,…

French Singing Bird Automaton with Two Birds in Cage

French singing bird automaton, with two birds in a brass cage, c. 1920s. Provenance: Bryan Jackson collection of music boxes and toys

French singing bird automaton by Botems, c. 1880, the cage with…

Botems' Singing Bird Automaton Cage

French singing bird automaton by Botems, c. 1880, the cage with the three singing birds on an ornate brass stand, in good working condition. Provenance: Purchased from the Joblin collection in the 1970s. Jobling toured New Zealand in the early 1920s with…

French coin activated triple singing bird automaton, by Bontems,…

Triple Singing Bird Automaton by Bontems

French coin activated triple singing bird automaton, by Bontems, with traditional brass mechanism with an electric drive on a gold painted pedestal, the three caged birds with moving heads, beaks and tails in a naturalistic setting, in good working order.…

German silver singing bird automaton, by Karl Griesbaum, c.…

Karl Griesbaum German Silver Singing Bird Automaton

German silver singing bird automaton, by Karl Griesbaum, c. 1900, the rectangular silver case embossed with figural scenes and trophies, operated by a lever on the front which releases an oval cover embossed with cherubs releasing a caged coloured…

An antique Karl Griesbaum singing caged bird with automaton. 28…

Karl Griesbaum Singing Bird Automaton

An antique Karl Griesbaum singing caged bird with automaton. 28 cm high.

A Sainte-Croix Reuge music automata of birds in cage. Height 30…

Reuge Bird Cage Automata

A Sainte-Croix Reuge music automata of birds in cage. Height 30 cm

Late Victorian musical bird in cage

Victorian Bird Cage Melody

Late Victorian musical bird in cage

A large antique French singing bird cage, automaton music box,…

Antique French Singing Bird Cage Automaton Music Box

A large antique French singing bird cage, automaton music box, c.1900, with gilt metal and brass bird cage case; the base carved and gilded with applied ormolu work. Height 59 cm. Base: 28 x 29 cm

A French musical automaton clock of birds in a tree, late 19th…

French Musical Automaton Clock of Birds in Tree

A French musical automaton clock of birds in a tree, late 19th Century modelled with four birds tweeting and moving amongst the boughs of a wirework and fabric tree, the natuarlistically modelled rocky landscape with a turning glass rod to one side…

Rare & impressive hallmarked sterling silver 925 marked &…

Enamel Musical Bird Box in Hallmarked Sterling Silver

Rare & impressive hallmarked sterling silver 925 marked & enamel musical bird box and key, circa 1924' approx 10 cm long, 6 cm deep, 4 cm high

Automaton of a whistling bird in cage

Whistling Bird Cage Automaton

Automaton of a whistling bird in cage

A French 'singing bird in a cage' automata, 28 cm

French Singing Bird Automata in Cage

A French 'singing bird in a cage' automata, 28 cm

A German 'singing bird in a cage' automata, 25 cm high

German Singing Bird Automata in Cage

A German 'singing bird in a cage' automata, 25 cm high

Swiss automaton tortoiseshell & enamel singing bird music box…

Swiss Enamel Singing Bird Music Box with Chateau Scene

Swiss automaton tortoiseshell & enamel singing bird music box the bird with, red, blue, iridescent green & orange feathered plumage, moving bone beak, head, wings and tailfeather, the bird reflected in highly polished lid interior, the lid top with full…

A fine German automated music box with a singing bird in a cage.…

German Singing Bird Music Box with Original Feathers

A fine German automated music box with a singing bird in a cage. The bird with original feathers is sitting above a tree, the mechanism is brass and steel with key wind up below

A singing bird automaton, German, the single automated bird…

German Singing Bird Automaton in Brass Cage

A singing bird automaton, German, the single automated bird perched on a stand entwined with delicate foliage, within a brass cage mounted on a brass etched base decorated with geometric motif on four baluster feet 25 cm high

A painted cast iron novelty door stop and a small singing bird…

Cast Iron Door Stop and Singing Bird Automaton Set

A painted cast iron novelty door stop and a small singing bird automaton in cage the automaton 14 cm high, the door stop 21 cm high

Musical singing bird automaton, German 1930's by Griesbaum

German Singing Bird Automaton from 1930s by Griesbaum

Musical singing bird automaton, German 1930's by Griesbaum

A double singing bird automaton in cage one bird standing, the…

Double Singing Bird Automaton in Brass Cage

A double singing bird automaton in cage one bird standing, the other resting on a perch, within a brass cage with a loop handle, 51 cm high

Coin operated mechanical singing bird, 55 cm high. French

French Coin-Op Singing Bird, 55cm High

Coin operated mechanical singing bird, 55 cm high. French

A late 19th century French gilded automata of birds in a cage…

Gilded French automata of birds in cage (A/F)

A late 19th century French gilded automata of birds in a cage A/F (penny in the slot)

A German silver singing bird cigarette box, early 20th century,…

German Silver Singing Bird Cigarette Box by Karl Griesbaum

A German silver singing bird cigarette box, early 20th century, profusely chased with fancy birds amongst foliate scrolls, the hinged cover with applied marcasites birds with ruby paste eyes, concealing the singing bird, the hinged sides opening to reveal…

A French 19th century automaton birds in cage not in working…

Non-Working 19th Century Automaton Bird Cage

A French 19th century automaton birds in cage not in working order A/F. Height 28 cm

Reuge Sainte Croix musical movement bird cage made in…

Swiss Musical Birdcage with Two Singing Birds

Reuge Sainte Croix musical movement bird cage made in Switzerland. Two birds with real feathers, both sing and move during intervals on two different levels in a gilt brass birdcage surrounded by violets. Engraved 'Reuge Music Sainte Croix, Made in…

Brass bird cage automaton clock, mechanical one day movement,…

Brass bird cage automaton clock

Brass bird cage automaton clock, mechanical one day movement, the bird moves side to side as the central, clock dial rotates keeping hourly time. Height 14.5 cm

A singing bird in gilt metal cage, French, 19th century.…

Gilt French Bird Cage, 19th Century

A singing bird in gilt metal cage, French, 19th century. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

A German 'Singing bird' automaton music box. Early 20th century,…

Enamelled German Singing Bird Automaton Music Box

A German 'Singing bird' automaton music box. Early 20th century, the rectangular case with enamelled decoration, together with original bird. Provenance: A bequest from Sir Arthur Gordon Rylah (1909-1974), to his daughter and sold by her executors.

A Swiss gilt bronze singing bird automaton jewel box of oval…

Swiss Singing Bird Automaton Jewel Box

A Swiss gilt bronze singing bird automaton jewel box of oval form, the porcelain plaque lid opens to reveal a singing bird, a small clock to front, the base inscribed with the names of four songs, decorated in classical manner, 11.5 cm long