Skip to main content

Automata

Automata, Italy, 1850
Located in Milan, IT
The automata is house shaped. The front part shows a clock, A semi circular window as a door. The
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Antiquities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Tin

Automata, Italy, 1850
Automata, Italy, 1850
H 21.5 in W 12.2 in D 14.5 in
The Clockwork Universe, German Clocks and Automata, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
The Clockwork Universe, German Clocks and Automata. NY: Neale Watson Arcademic Publications, Inc
Category

20th Century American Books

Materials

Paper

Antique Automata Gentleman's Walking Stick, Horse Head Glove Holder
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Automaton horse head walking cane. Early 20th century walking stick with an automaton horse head glove holder. The handle is carved from Horn, finely detailed, having inset glass ey...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Horn

Blaise Bontems Musical Automaton Singing birds and Clock under glass dome
Located in Leuven , BE
birdsong since childhood, gained renown for his lifelike automata featuring realistic avian melodies
Category

Antique 19th Century French Taxidermy

Materials

Metal

Antique Automaton The Whistler by Phalibois
Located in London, GB
shirt and collar, ht. 34in See Bailly, Automata, the Golden Age, p165 for an identical model. . In 1895
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Musical Instruments

Materials

Satin

Swiss Station Cylinder Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
highly sought-after by collectors of musical automata. Circa 1890 Measures: 33 1/8" wide x 16 7/8
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass

Swiss Station Cylinder Music Box
Swiss Station Cylinder Music Box
H 31.5 in W 33.13 in D 16.88 in
Bruguier Tortoiseshell Swiss Fusée Singing Bird Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
complicated movements of all automata. The earliest bird boxes were fusee, or chain driven, which meant they
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Louis XV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold

Silver Fusée Singing Bird Box by Charles Bruguier
Located in New Orleans, LA
automata. A painstaking and costly process was required to create just one of these elaborately ornamented
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Automaton Industrial series Quarterdeck, Helmsman mantel clock by Guilmet
Located in London, GB
Antique French, "Ship's Quarter Deck" Automata clock from the Industrial Series. The bronze and
Category

Antique 1890s French Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Copper

19th Century Roullet et Decamps French Rare Oversized Automaton Cow
Located in London, GB
specialized in production of automata. The company's history started in 1866 when Jean Roullet opened a small
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Toys

Materials

Faux Fur, Wood, Paper

Art Deco Green Vitascope Electric Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
mains supply (at 50 cycles) to a synchronous movement which drives both the hands and the automata. The
Category

Vintage 1940s English Art Deco Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bakelite

Art Deco Red Vitascope Electric Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
supply (at 50 cycles) to a synchronous movement which drives both the hands and the automata. The
Category

Vintage 1940s Mantel Clocks

Materials

Acrylic

The Mills Double Deluxe Violano Virtuoso
By Mills Novelty Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
Company, is an extremely rare example of American musical automata, featuring not one, but two brilliantly
Category

20th Century North American Art Deco Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood

The Mills Double Deluxe Violano Virtuoso
The Mills Double Deluxe Violano Virtuoso
H 68.5 in W 49.38 in D 34.75 in
Original 1890’s Linen Backed Theatrical Stage Poster Holden's Mannikins
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
41". Early Vaudeville Marionette, Automata and Mannequin poster with vibrant colors, another one
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century French musical automaton clock
19th Century French musical automaton clock
H 21.26 in W 20.48 in D 7.09 in
Massive Chinese Ormolu High Relief Gilt Bronze Automaton Musical Clock
Located in Danville, CA
and mechanical movements including musical movements and automata. Representing the Emperor's power
Category

20th Century Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

People Also Browsed

Cabana Anthology Book by Martina Mondadori Sartogo
Located in New York, NY
Cabana Anthology By: Martina Mondadori Sartogo Celebrating ten issues of the gloriously opulent, bi-annual Cabana magazine, founded in 2014 by Martina Mondadori Sartogo, scion of th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Books

Materials

Paper

Art Nouveau Curved Stained Glass & Bronze Panel/ Window, Attributed to Tiffany
By Charles L. Tiffany
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Nouveau window/ panel was realized in the United States in 1907, attributed to Tiffany & Co. The piece features a mosaic of interlocking demilune arch forms in hues...
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Fine Taxidermy Tower of Owls by Sinke & Van Tongeren
By Sinke & Van Tongeren
Located in Haarlem, NL
We found this beautiful ornament years ago in a London antique shop. We immediately thought ‘Owls!’ But had to wait for four years to collect the right species that matched the measu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Victorian Taxidermy

Materials

Animal Skin

Hand Carved Wood Memento Mori Double Skull Cane Walking Stick Handle
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic and wonderfully hand carved piece. These smiling, mischievous skulls are hand carved in very Fine detail. Would be the crown jewel of any walking stick collection once at...
Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

English Victorian Monumental Bird Cage
By Henry Jones
Located in New York, NY
English Victorian bronze and copper octagonal shaped monumental bird cage with a gilt pierced dome & finial top raised on 8 swirl iron legs. (Patent #1107831-Henry Jones)
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bird Cages

Materials

Copper, Bronze, Iron

Extraordinary Walking Stick Horn Handle Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
massiv horn handle silver shaft robust stick (V-215).
Category

Vintage 1920s Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Horn

Grand Tour Specimen Marbles Plaque, Italy, circa 1850
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Italian Grand Tour marble specimen plaque in original silver-giltwood frame consisting of 20 different rare and ancient marbles, including Porphyry and Jasper, inlaid into a black an...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Grand Tour Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble

Hand Carved Wood Memento Mori Skull Cane Walking Stick Handle
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic and wonderfully hand carved piece. This smiling, mischievous skull is carved in very fine detail. Would be the crown jewel of any walking stick collection once attached t...
Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Silver Walking Cane Stick 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A decorative Swedish silver handled walking cane with foliate engraving, a presentation inscription and impressed hallmarks and makers mark, Circa 1920 in date. It has a very decora...
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Nouveau Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

Hand Carved Wood Multi Dragon Head Asian Chinese Walking Cane Stick
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather fantastic and unusual walking stick/ cane. Hand carved from wood. Multi dragon heads. We have not seen another quite like it. Has a great feel and clearly unique look. ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Italian Cast 800 Silver Romanesque Walking Stick Cane 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique Italian gentleman's cast 800 silver walking stick, Circa 1880 in date This striking cane features an ornate cast silver mounted figure head pommel rea...
Category

Antique 1880s Italian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Marine Specimen: the Porcupine Fish, Italy, 1880
Located in Milan, IT
Taxidermy marine natural Wunderkammer specimen, the common porcupine fish (Tetrodon Cutcutia). The Specimen is stuffed and mounted over a round fruitwooden base black color. Sulphur ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Taxidermy

Materials

Animal Skin, Blown Glass, Wood

Antique Walking Stick/Cane, Germany with Around 1910
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique walking stick/cane, Germany with around 1910 Antique historical condition. Please refer to the detailed photos for the condition (V-221).
Category

Antique Early 1900s Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

19th C Glass Dome on Ebonised Base with 25 Exotic Birds-Label W.J.Hole
Located in Leuven , BE
Large oval based glass dome/shade with 26 exotic, colourful birds in naturalistic setting comprising Hummingbirds with open wings and on their nests. This Victorian arrangement is in...
Category

20th Century British Taxidermy

Materials

Organic Material, Wood

Sterling Silver Horse & Jockey Walking Cane Stick
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Sterling Silver Horse & Jockey Walking Cane Stick. Marked FP 925 0n side. Stick looks like rosewood but could be mahogany. Brass tip. Some minor wear from use.
Category

20th Century Unknown Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Wall clock " Atlanta " germany, around 1960s Original condition of the case Battery operated, not mechanical.
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks

Materials

Brass

Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s
Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s
H 19.3 in W 10.24 in D 1.97 in

Recent Sales

Ackohr Automatas Magician Poster
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fantastic poster of a Spanish magician.
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Posters

Materials

Stone

Marquetry Freisland Clock with Automata, Netherlands, circa 1890
Located in Providence, RI
This clock form, unique to Scandinavia, is one of the best and most complicated of the form (see attached basic models). The case has beautiful marquetry throughout, and retains an o...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Aesthetic Movement Wall Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Aquilla Barber 8 Day Arched Automata Longcase Clock
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A beautiful 8 day arched rocking swan automata Grandfather clock. As the clock ticks, the swans
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Pine, Paint

19th Century Rocking Father Time Automata 8 Day Clock by William Preddy
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A rocking father time automata arched painted dial clock with 8 day striking the hours movement by
Category

Antique 19th Century British George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase ...

Second Quarter of the 19th Century Viennese Grande Sonnerie Wall Clock
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A second quarter of the 19th century Viennese grande sonnerie wall clock with automata. The glazed
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Empire Wall Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Small Mahogany William Smith of Crowland Longcase Clock
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Very rare 8 day arch painted dial automata clock with striking on the hours on a single bell. To
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Grandfather Clocks and Longca...

Materials

Brass

8 Day Original Rocking Ship Longcase Clock by Charles Botta of Poole
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A fine small 8 day arched painted dial original rocking ship automata clock, by Charles Botta of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Grandfather Clocks and ...

Materials

Brass

18th C Antique Longcase Grandfather Mahogany Tidal Dial Clock by James Richards
By English Clock Systems
Located in Antrim, GB
tidal automata dial which shows the high and low tides at Liverpool dock indicated by the sea level
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Longc...

Materials

Mahogany

Automata Bracket Clock by Thomas Grinnard, London
Located in Devon, GB
A fine George III period ebonised and brass mounted automata bracket clock by Thomas Grinnard
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier George III Clocks

Automata Table Clock by Nathan & Co. of Birmingham
By Nathan & Co. 1
Located in London, GB
operated by rods, the mechanical automata movement has a two air musical box providing a sound of fine
Category

Antique 1880s Great Britain (UK) Victorian Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Fabric, Glass

Nineteenth Century Automata Signed By Henri Marc of Paris
By Henri Marc, Paris 1
Located in London, GB
atop, below the crenellations, being signed by the maker, and a music box. The automata is operated
Category

Antique 1870s French Victorian Wall Clocks

Little Birds Automatons Singer in a Gilded Cage by Bontems, France, 1890
Located in Milan, IT
A French automaton: a cage with birds in gilded brass. Automata were built by master watchmakers to
Category

Antique 1890s French Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Wunderkammern Mechanical Toy Automation 1900 circa German Juggling Clown
Located in Milan, IT
Milanese collection. Automata have attracted the interest of the most refined collectors, since they were
Category

Early 20th Century German Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Textile, Paper

The Enchanting Tale of a Rare Antique Electric Bellboy Display Automaton ca 1870
Located in Leuven , BE
Marvel ca.1870 In the enchanting world of antique automata, there exists a rare and extraordinary gem
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

French Automaton Industrial Locomotive Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
-inspired automata, these clocks are extremely popular with collectors and difficult to find in such
Category

Antique 19th Century French Industrial Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rare French Paper Mache Roullet Decamps Automaton Growler Dog
Located in London, GB
toy manufacturing company operating in the 19th Century, which specialized in automata and papier
Category

Antique 1880s French Early Victorian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Paper

French Automaton Battleship Industrial Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
timekeeping with mechanically-inspired automata, these clocks are extremely popular with collectors and
Category

Antique 19th Century French Industrial Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

General Artigas Gunboat Industrial Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
timekeeping with mechanically-inspired automata, these clocks are extremely popular with collectors and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Industrial Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

French Industrial Battleship Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
timekeeping with mechanically-inspired automata. Not only does it include a clock face at its center, but also
Category

Antique 19th Century French Industrial Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Industrial Battleship Clock
French Industrial Battleship Clock
H 15 in W 6.25 in D 12.5 in
Silver Double Singing Bird Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
one-of-a-kind objet d'art was inspired by the mechanical complexity of 19th-century Swiss automata
Category

Antique 19th Century American Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Silver Double Singing Bird Box
Silver Double Singing Bird Box
H 2 in W 4.25 in D 2.88 in
Massimo Listri, Cabinet of Curiosities
By Massimo Listri
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, and corals to paintings, ivory trophies, measuring instruments, and incredible automata, it was a
Category

2010s Books

Materials

Paper

Massimo Listri, Cabinet of Curiosities
Massimo Listri, Cabinet of Curiosities
H 15.6 in W 11.4 in D 4 in
Massimo Listri, Cabinet of Curiosities
By Massimo Listri
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, and corals to paintings, ivory trophies, measuring instruments, and incredible automata, it was a
Category

2010s Books

Materials

Paper

Massimo Listri, Cabinet of Curiosities
Massimo Listri, Cabinet of Curiosities
H 15.6 in W 11.4 in D 4 in
Automaton Industrial Series Quarterdeck Mantel Clock by Guilmet
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in London, GB
French, "Ship's Quarter Deck" Automata clock from the Industrial Series. The bronze and silvered
Category

Antique 1890s French Industrial Mantel Clocks

Materials

Copper, Bronze

Art Deco Brown Vitascope Elecrtric Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
and the automata. The ship rides on an oval shaped cam which makes it lift and roll. It is lit
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bakelite

Art Deco Pink Vitascope Electric Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
mains supply (at 50 cycles) to a synchronous movement which drives both the hands and the automata
Category

Vintage 1940s English Art Deco Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bakelite

Art Deco Pink Vitascope Electric Clock
Art Deco Pink Vitascope Electric Clock
H 12.5 in W 10.25 in D 6.75 in
Antique Cat-in-Milk Churn Musical Automaton by Roullet & Decamps
Located in London, GB
survivor displays the three main attributes which continue to place antique automata in the spotlight
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Walking and Fantail-Displaying Indian Peacock Automaton
Located in London, GB
Automata - The Golden Age 1848-1914, C. Bailly, p.285 showing the three sizes from the R&D catalogue
Category

Antique 1890s French Taxidermy

Materials

Feathers

18th Century Jones of Chalford Mahogany and Oak Longcase
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A rare and probably unique arch painted dial automata of (Man lifting his glass of beer as the
Category

Antique 18th Century British Georgian Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Cl...

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Pine

Chinoiserie Hand Mirror and Looking Glass
Located in Sutton Coldfield, GB
most famous today for the elaborate musical clocks and automata that he produced and exported to China
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English More Mirrors

Materials

Enamel

A George III Telescopic Silver Toasting Fork By The Thomas Weeks
By George Cowels, Thomas Weeks
Located in New York, NY
many of his stock of objects de luxe and automata, but they were made in the workshops of leading
Category

Antique 19th Century English More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Sterling Silver

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Automata", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Automata For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of automata available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and bone, all automata available were constructed with great care. Automata have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Georgian and Victorian automata are consistently popular styles. Automata have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Henri Marc, Paris and Nathan & Co. are consistently popular.

How Much are Automata?

Prices for automata can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, automata begin at $59 and can go as high as $62,573, while the average can fetch as much as $15,087.
Questions About Automata
Prices for most automata on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell automata and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.