Mechanical Music

The Mechanical Music auctions are extremely diverse with sections including early key-wind cylinder musical boxes and the later disc 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

The Charles X gold, enamel and split-seed pearl oiseau chantant and musical portrait box.
Sold for £181,250 inc. premium
The Charles X gold, enamel and split-seed pearl oiseau chantant and musical portrait box, made most probably as a direct ...
An exceptional silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box, by Jacques Bruguier, circa 1830,
Sold for £34,850 inc. premium
An exceptional silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box, by Jacques Bruguier, circa 1830,
A very fine sarcophagus-form silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box, by Jacques Bruguier, circa 1835,
Sold for £37,250 inc. premium
A very fine sarcophagus-form silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box, by Jacques Bruguier, circa 1835,
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,

Contacts

Mechanical Music (UK) Bonhams
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