Mechanical Music

The Mechanical Music auctions are extremely diverse with sections including early key-wind cylinder musical boxes and the later disk versions; fine singing birds, phonographs and gramophones; iconic jukeboxes, barrel organs and pianos; important encoding machines, mechanical and electrical calculation devices; vintage amusement machines and pre-1940 wireless and television. This department aims to please those who seek either the perfect historical gift or to bring a collection into line with an appropriate addition.

The department holds four auctions annually for an international range of clients. We very much look forward to hearing from you, should you be new to this field or an established collector.

Highlights from past auctions

An important silver standing singing bird automaton, circa 1880, movement most probably Bontems,
Sold for £24,000 inc. premium
An important silver standing singing bird automaton, circa 1880, movement most probably Bontems,
A very important silver standing singing bird automaton of a crow, by Bontems, circa 1890,
Sold for £39,650 inc. premium
A very important silver standing singing bird automaton of a thrush, by Bontems, circa 1890,
Autophone - automatic coin-operated phonograph, based on the Hexophone pattern.
Sold for £21,600 inc. premium
A rare Autophone automatic phonograph console, by The American Phonograph Co., similar to the Hexophone, circa 1910,
A fine silver-gilt and enamel oiseau chantant with timepiece, by Charles Bruguier, circa 1848,
Sold for £15,600 inc. premium
A fine silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box with timepiece, by Charles Bruguier, circa 1848,

Contacts

Mechanical Music (UK) Bonhams
Work
General Enquiries
Jonathan Snellenburg Bonhams
Work
580 Madison Avenue
New York, 10022
United States
Work +1 212 461 6530
FaxFax: +1 212 644 9007
Specialist
Laurence Fisher Bonhams
Work
Montpelier Street
London, SW7 1HH
United Kingdom
Work +44 20 8963 2837
FaxFax: +44 20 7393 3873
Specialist