ORCHESTRAL REED ORGAN WITH MONKEY AUTOMATON.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/22/2023

Barrel Reed Organ with Automata, playing 6 tunes, with two original makers labels from “Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy, 42-bis, Rue Réaumur, Paris,” France, and dating from about 1875-1880. Similar models are depicted in the Silber & Fleming 1876-1877 catalog, page 322 (ref. V&A Museum). This instrument has 20 keys (reed notes) and was made in the Mirecourt region just outside of Paris, France, an area well known for its organ building craftsmanship in the 18th & 19th centuries. The monkey automata were from the Parisian automaton maker Henri Phalibois. When operating via crank at rear, both monkey figures realistically bow their instruments (violin & cello) while turning & nodding their heads, upper & lower lips opening & closing, eyeballs rolling as if blinking and even one of them taps his foot trying to keep time to the music. CONDITION: Older mechanical restoration, currently working but weakly, with bellows need recovering. Lacks costuming & protective glass at front, where it would slide into the existing slot from above. Rarely found with its original theater enclosure. Includes original crank.

Condition: (Good).

Item Dimensions: 18" x 13" x 34 - 1/4".

Name

Value

Keys