The Musician is an 18th-century clockwork automaton organ player which actually plays with individual finger movements. She also ‘breathes’ with a heaving chest. Created in 1774 by Swiss watchmaker Pierre Jaquet-Droz, his son Henri-Louis, and Jean-Frédéric Leschot. It is part of a famous trio of androids including “The Writer” and “The Draughtsman” currently housed at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. This film was taken during a private tour booked to see all three automa

Drumming Bear Automaton, Paris c.1880. Life size. Our painstaking restoration of this bear from a pile of bits in terrible condition is on YouTube (search ‘drumming bear automaton’ ) and TV. #cozypowell #salvagehunterstherestorers #grizzly #paddingtonbear #teddybear #furry #drummer #automaton #roulletanddecamps #robot #scary #artofnoise #musical | The House of Automata

It’s always a thrilling moment in a restoration when a broken automaton comes to life again. This ladder acrobat has his secrets laid bare with a heavy head, lightweight body and complex folding lever in the shoulder mechanism. Made by Gustave Vichy in Paris around 1890 #secretsofautomata #cirquedusoleil | The House of Automata

The Tea Server, a musical automaton from Paris c.1890. The compounds movements add a charming realism to the occasion and her beautiful bisque head is full of character. The music is from Cavaliera Rusticana. #tea #opera #fantasy | The House of Automata