Automatons are self-operating machines designed to automatically follow a predetermined sequence of operations, or respond to predetermined instructions. Reference: Wikipedia Below are some examples of bear automatons.
Germany, 20th century DANCING BEARS AND KEEPER AUTOMATON with winding key, the figures pivoting on the turntable mixed media, brass, steel, paper, pine 27.5 by 22.5 by 20cm., 10¾ by 8¾ by 8in. Made in the first quarter of the 20th century.
Sold for 875 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2015
WONDERFUL GRAND-SIZE FRENCH AUTOMATON “THE PERFORMING BEAR” BY DECAMPS
27″ (69 cm.) A standing Papier-mche bear with lush brown fur cover is posed upright on a velvet-covered wooden platform,with black bead eyes and carved wooden paws,nose and mouth,a finely-tooled leather drum strap slung across his chest,a drum attached to rods from his torso,and a pair of wooden drumsticks in his hands. When wound,he turns his head from side-to-side,then nods,opens and closes his jaw,and beats the drums in unison to the movements. Condition: generally excellent,functions well. Comments: Decamps,1900,the model was illustrated in the 1900 catalog of Decamps as model #315,a charming mechanical representation of the real performing bears that were then popular throughout Europe and America. Value Points: very rarely found automata whose original luxury price of 100 francs,underscored the quality workmanship and grand size of the mechanical works and the artisan quality of the leather works and drum. Few other examples in this size are known to exist.
Sold for $5,500 at Theriault’s
An Excelsior automatic toy clockwork bear automaton, probably American, late 19th century, the rabbit fur covered bear in original pine box with paper label printed ‘Patented October 1st 1872’, complete with key. 8 ins (20cm) high
Sold for £ 350 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2016
A Rouellet & Descamp musical drinking polar bear automaton covered in white fur, clear and black glass eyes with brown painted backs, velvet lined mouth with bone teeth, carved wooden clawed feet and hands, standing on hind legs holding a brass bottle and cup, the clockwork mechanism causing the the bear to pour a cup of liquid from the bottle, lift to his mouth as the bear tips his head back and then close his mouth, whilst the music plays, early 20th century –16in. (40.5cm.) high
Sold for GBP 1,500 at Christie’s in 2007
Musical Automaton Bear with Horn and Bowl
Sold for $1,400 at Nye & Company in 2019
Del Ray (Delbert Raymond Petrosky). Butch the Bear. Circa 1965. One of several incarnations of this faux automaton bear used by Del Ray in his famous stage act. Throughout the magician’s performance, he regularly produced glasses of wine from thin air, and after raising the glasses toward the bear, who rested on stage alongside him, the bear- seemingly operating independently and only in reaction to the magician- raised a bottle held in one paw to a cup held in the other, pouring real wine into the cup, then raising it to his lips and drinking a toast along with his owner. Each time Del produced a glass and proposed a toast, Butch responded in kind. The mechanical bear, originally manufactured by the famous automaton makers in Paris, Roullet-Decamps, sits on a tall table hand made for him and outfitted with a flash bulb, running lights around its rim, and a number of electronic controls at the rear and in the base. During Del Ray’s act, the table moved about the stage and the flash bulb would be fired off to accent his act, as well. Battery-operated. Table 37 ” high. With a custom ATA carrying case to hold the table, detailed operating instructions, circuitry diagram, analysis of components and construction, and a fitted case to hold the bear. Mechanics refurbished by John Gaughan. Not tested. A pioneer in the use of electronics in magic shows, Del Ray (born in Pennsylvania and orphaned at an early age) was also a master entertainer, and arguably one of the most charming and engaging personalities in his field. A magician visiting the orphanage where he grew up introduced him to the art, and as a young man, Del worked as an assistant to Harry Blackstone, Sr. Striking out on his own, he soon secured bookings on the Ed Sullivan Show, and at virtually every top night club and hotel in the United States. Developing a unique stage act that incorporated Butch the Bear alongside an unforgettable rendition of the classic Rising Cards and other miracles, Del Ray could only be outdone in the field of conjuring by himself- at the close-up table. An adept practitioner of sleight-of-hand, he was at his most charming and engaging when demonstrating the tricks of crooked gamblers, introducing audiences to his friend Willie the Mouse, and stacking dice one on top of the other in a straight-sided leather cup. The combination of amazing stage act and peerless close-up work kept Del Ray constantly performing. It also earned him his billing- one he would use in a career that spanned some four decades- that seemed apt no matter the audience: “America’s Foremost.”
Sold for $12,000 at Potter & Potter Auctions in 2016