
One of our most interesting offerings in our October 31st Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments auction is this gilt-framed musical automaton picture clock of a Blacksmith’s Shop (Lot 457, Estimate $5,000-$7,000), attributed to Xavier Tharin, c. 1880.
Automatons go as far back as the middle ages but some people refer to the mid 19th to early 20th century as the “Golden Age” of automata making. The industry was thriving in Paris during that time with makers like Vichy, Lambert and Roullet & Decamps.… Read More