Automata
S1319. 
WHITE KITTEN IN A MILK CHURN BY ROULLET ET DECAMPS
An antique automaton in the form of a white kitten in a small metal milk churn, this was made by Roullet & Decamps, Paris , circa 1890. When the lid is removed and the start knob is pulled out, the kitten rises to the sound of the musical movement, having apparently drunk all the milk, and sticks his tongue out several times before descending.
Price £1,750
M/431
BONTEMS TWO SINGING BIRDS IN A CAGE.
Realistic automaton consisting of two singing birds in a brass cage 20 inches high with a circular embossed brass base, made by Bontems of Paris circa 1890; the birds take turns to sing.
Price £4,500
M2318
A RABBIT IN A CABBAGE BY ROULLET ET DECAMPS.
An example of the well known key wound rabbit in a cabbage automaton by Roullet et Deacmps of Paris. The white rabbit rises up from within the cabbage, looks around while chewing a leaf, is suddenly startled, his ears are erected, his pink eyes light up and he drops back into the safety of the cabbage. This could have been inspired by Peter Rabbit, or is it just possible that one of these inspired Beatrix Potter to write her much loved childrens stories? Price inclusive.
Price £1,500
M2276
GLASS DOME WITH ROCKING SHIP, MILLS AND TRAIN.
A 19th century musical automaton scene, rocking ship, water wheel, wind mill, train going over bridge, under glass dome painted with lakes and hills.
Price £2,750
S1318
A GOOD WHITE FACED CLOWN WITH MANDOLIN BY LAMBERT
An antique two air musical automaton made by Leopold Lambert of Paris, in the form of a white faced Pierrot playing a mandolin. As the music plays, he sways from side to side and moves his hand over the strings.
The winding key is pierced to form the initials "LB", which stand for Leopold Lambert himself, and also his wife, Eugenie Maria Bourgeois, whom he married in 1876, and who was a seamstress by trade. She was a very important part of the business, as she dressed the automata her husband created.
This automaton still has his original white silk trouser suit and hat. The coat and trousers are trimmed with lace, also pink silk ribbon and bobbles. He has a pink silk cummerbund, and pink socks, with white shoes. He stands on a square red plush covered base which contains the musical movement, and is 20 inches high.
The back of the porcelain head bears the impressed marks "FBJ", number"255", and place of manufacture, "Paris". The markings are part of the letters SFBJ, which stand for Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes et Jouets, a company formed in 1899. "255" is a rare character mould.
The tunes played are "Valencia" & "on the Riviera".
There is a label on the base bearing the retailer’s name and address as follows, "Au Nain Bleu, G. Fauvet, Paris".
Price £3,900