Roullet and Decamps. Roullet & Decamps was a French toy manufacturing company operating in the 19th and 20th centuries, which specialized in automata. Founded in 1865 by Jean Roullet, the firm took the name Roullet-Decamps in 1889, 10 years after the marriage of the daughter of Jean Roullet to Ernest Decamps, a mechanical engineer by trade. The firm ceased operations in 1995. Collections of their wares are on exhibit to the public in two French museums in Falaise, Calvados and Souillac, Lot. Reference: Wikipedia
Rare Large Drumming Bear Automaton by Roullet & Decamps, c. 1900 Standing on hind legs, with carved wood paws and teeth, fur-covered body, articulated shoulders, forearms, neck and jaw, wearing brass muzzle and studded leather collar, an 8-in. (20 cm) drum with painted decoration, eagle and inscription “VT VIVATA” suspended at his waist, the open-spring mechanism with stop/start lever in the body causing bear to drum rhythmically with alternate sticks, turn his head and open and close his mouth as though growling, height 23 1/2 in. (59 cm!), some fur loss on face and limbs. – An impressive exhibition piece with lots of character, particularly in this rare size.
Sold for €8,000 at Auction Team Breker in 2010
FRENCH MECHANICAL POLAR BEAR ON SKIS BY ROULLET & DECAMPS
12″ (30 cm.) Standing upon a pair of wooden skis is a polar bear, of paper mache with lavish white fur cover, and having bead eyes and open mouth with fiercely-shaped teeth, tongue, wire muzzle, extended arms holding ski poles. When wound, the bear moves slowly forward, raising his arms, and growling. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: Roullet et Decamps, circa 1910 from the firm’s series of mechanical animals, this example likely inspired by Robert Peary’s discovery of the North Pole in 1909. Value Points: rare example from the mechanical animal series with wonderful detail of accessories.
Sold for $1,300 at Theriault’s
Roullet & Decamps Dancing Bear, French circa 1920 The brown real fur bear standing on hind legs, with glass eyes, hinged mouth, carved wooden paws and muzzle, key wound with stop/start lever, 23cm (9in) tall.
Sold for £ 384 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2006
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
A Roulett & Decamp clockwork walking bear automaton covered in brown fur, clear and black glass eyes, composition nose and opening mouth showing bone bottom teeth and carved wooden feet, circa 1900 –9in. (23cm.) long (inoperative, it feels like the spring has gone)
Sold for GBP 336 at Christie’s in 2007
Roulett et Decamps Makers Mark incorporated into a key of an automaton.