Automata: Life & Other Illusions
Sun, Jul 21, 2019 09:30PM EDT
Lot 64
Blooming Orange Tree Automaton.
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $30 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Blooming Orange Tree Automaton. Paris: Pierre Mayer, ca. 2005. As the handle is cranked, the small tree grows white blossoms, then bears orange fruits. Finally, the orange at the top splits open to reveal a silk handkerchief pulled upward by two butterflies. Modeled after the famous automaton/magic trick of Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, the ?father of modern magic,? and with a cut-out three-quarter length portrait of the Frenchman mounted behind the automaton. 5 x 3 x 12?. Sold together with a contemporary flip book by Mayer showing the automaton in action. VIEW VIDEO
