Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Winter Magic Auction

Sat, Dec 11, 2021 12:00PM EST
Lot 421

Blooming Orange Tree Automaton. Paris: Pierre Mayer, ca. 20...

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?. Very good.