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Automaton


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Gems from a golden age of French automata

20 February 2023

The Paris firm of Roullet & Decamps was famous for automata, walking and moving dolls and toys.

A c.1600-1610 elephant automaton clock

Elephant in the room: an exceptional clock

18 October 2021

A rare 17th century elephant automaton clock was the star of the Christie’s New York Exceptional sale when it sold at $2.15m (£1.58m) to a private buyer.

Qing dynasty musical automaton clock

Chinese Qing dynasty musical automaton clock – an amalgam of ingenuity and technical prowess – fetches over £1m at auction

24 June 2019

A Chinese musical automaton clock sailed over the £1m mark when it came up for sale at the Drouot auction centre in Paris.

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Nodding magician looks to cast spell at Potter & Potter

10 June 2019

This c.1900 French automaton is included in the next sale held by Chicago saleroom Potter & Potter specialist auction house of magic props and memorabilia.

singing bird box

Bird box to soar at County Durham autumn auction

15 September 2016

A 19th century singing bird box is a starring lot at an upcoming County Durham auction that features several animal-themed lots.

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Monkey business – Swiss museum buys automaton at Bristol auction

19 January 2016

A museum in Switzerland has acquired this extraordinary monkey band automaton at an online-only auction conducted by East Bristol Auctions, in Hanham, Bristol.