The collection of Jerry and Bunny Steinbaum of Beverly Hills, California, begun nearly a quarter century ago, and to be auctioned by Theriault’s on November 23, includes models of such rarity that few other examples are known to exist. During the heyday of their collecting years, the Steinbaums traveled to France and England and visited the noted auction houses of New York and London, seeking out rare and fine automaton treasures. The Steinbaum’s collecting debut coincided with other important events in the history of automata-collecting: for example, the Samuel Pryor Collection, assembled in mid-20th century, was about to be auctioned and from that collection they acquired several important pieces. At that auction the Steinbaums made the acquaintance of the celebrated Michel Bertrand of Switzerland who had just completed the installation of the automata collection at the Princess Grace National Museum in Monaco, and who was now involved in preserving, restoring and re-creating the legacy of the famous 19th century Vichy firm of Paris. They became fast friends, and Bertrand inspired and guided the Steinbaums in the acquisition and restoration of other important automata during the next decades.  Highlighting the November 23rd Theriault auction is the beautiful Japanese lady mask seller who offers her wares while gracefully twirling a parasol, the l’Homme Serpente who performs graceful gymnastic acts, the elegant kneeling Egyptian harp player whose fingers move over harp strings in a very naturalistic way while she blinks her eyes, breathes, and gracefully arches and nods her head (and who appears in motion on the hologram image cover of the auction catalog), and a very rare Hercules weight-lifter figure, of which only two others are known to exist. There is a graceful standing Grecian lady playing a harp, Vichy’s Pierrot who busily writes a letter before falling asleep, the Peasant and His Knee-Sitting Trained Pig, the black Ethiopian Flute Player, and a very beautiful black lady Flower Seller whose flowers actually hide delightful mechanical surprises. The saucily-standing Parisian man by Phalibois winks and whistles merry tunes, and in another favorite piece, the moon winks at Pierrot who poses on its crescent tip. Buffalo Bill smokes up a storm, an amusing pair of Clown Musicians on Stage with happy and sad faces offer a surprise performance that demonstrates why they are happy or sad. There are jugglers, musicians, clowns, people on Paris streets, elegant ladies, and denizens of nature, each performing their magical, musical, mechanical movements.
For the lover of elegant bisque-doll automata there are beautiful offerings highlighted by a shepherdess with bisque portrait head by Jumeau who lifts the basket she holds to reveal a little lamb, a splendid lady seated at her piano offering music to her attending guests, and a wonderful Jumeau girl in rich burgundy silk costume who demonstrates her puppets and toy theatre. Another portrait-head Jumeau lady reclines on her damask-covered recamier, fanning herself and slowly rising. An organ grinder with unique bisque portrait head made for this automaton only, wills his dancing dolls to perform when he turns the street organ handle, and a Chinese Tea Server, also with unique bisque head for this model only, graciously proffers tea. Still two other bisque-head automata, with heads sculpted by Jumeau for automaton use only, include a haughty-faced Marquis who, in one case, smokes, and in another, blows bubbles. There are little girls catching butterflies, playing hoops, or sitting on the parlor floor playing with toys. Ladies sit at the spinning wheel, while nearby a couple waltz, ballerinas pirouette, and gentlemen smoke.
One of the more unusual pieces greeted collectors when they entered the Steinbaum home. A mechanical, musical peacock posed on a wooden pedestal, and on command (i.e. winding) he moved his upper torso side to side, while his entire body moved opposingly, raised his head, and then, amazingly raised, spread, swept and then lowered his spectacular peacock feather tail. A welcome, indeed! The Magnificent Peacock is believed to be one of a kind, and stands a majestic 2’ high, not including feathers!
Also included is a fine small collection of commissioned automata from the workshops of Michel Bertrand, last in the succession of the Vichy line, including models so rare that it is believed only one was ever created, including The Parisian Artist, The Bird-Trainer, The Illusionist, The Magic Cupboard, and The Clown Conjurer. Although inspired by the 19th century Vichy automata, and, in fact, created with many of their original parts and mechanisms, the Bertrand automata are notable for intricacy of mechanism and movement. The Steinbaum collection pieces were commissioned directly from Michel Bertrand several decades ago, and they will come to their new owners with a direct line of provenance.
Collectors of other 19th century parlor pieces and singing birds will also find wonderful choices including a Brugieur singing bird in chased gilt and enamel case, with original leather box, a rare double singing bird box, Bontems Bird Bocage with 17 birds (12 being animated and singing), an early Phalibois tightrope walker under dome with three bisque-doll figures; Monkey Magician and Monkey Schoolmaster under domes, and others.
The collection is presented in a 150 page hardbound, full color catalog “Music, Motion, Fancy” with detailed technical and historical descriptions; many objects offer provenance. While collectors are urged to attend the auction in order to see the automata in performance and hear the music, it is also quite easy to bid at Theriault’s from afar. The firm offers traditional absentee bidding, as well as telephone bidding, and live internet bidding at the actual time of the auction. The entire auction can be viewed online three weeks prior to the auction (www.theriaults.com and click on the button for Proxibid). To order the catalog call 800-638-0422 (internationally 1-410-224-3655). OR CLICK HERE TO ORDER CATALOG.
SNEAK PREVIEW
Theriault’s invites you to a special sneak preview of “Music, Motion, Fancy” at the Governor Morris Westin Hotel on Saturday evening, November 22 from 6 PM to 8 PM. Come to meet fellow collectors. Automata will be demonstrated and discussed. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reservations are not required. |
PLAN THE ENTIRE WEEKEND IN MORRISTOWN
The beautiful historic town of Morristown N.J. is home to the Morris Museum which features the recently opened signature wing exhibiting the world famous automaton and music box collection of Murtogh D. Guinness. The 4300 square foot wing exhibits a changing panorama of these “Living Dolls and Mechanical Music” including live demonstrations each day at 2 PM. The Museum is open Saturday, November 22 from 11 AM – 5 PM. For further information about the collection visit www.morrismuseum.org. | |
