A rare musical automaton clock for the Turkish market, 'The Tightrope Walker', French, circa 1850

A rare musical automaton clock for the Turkish market, 'The Tightrope Walker', French, circa 1850

the female tightrope walker flanked by four seated musicians, each bisque porcelain figure with articulated limbs, mounted within a gilt-brass Turkish arcade, on a velvet-covered and repousse gilt-brass mounted plinth, inset with a clock , the enamel 3½-inch dial with Turkish numerals, the movement with chaff-cutter escapement with plain balance, external locking plate striking on a coiled gong, the backplate stamped Bolviller A Paris, the plinth also containing the automaton mechanism with eighteen cams controlling the motions of the automaton figures, all mounted on an ebony base containing a cylinder musical movement driving the automaton, inlaid in brass, pewter, mother-of-pearl and bone with foliate scrolls and flowers, a selection lever to the side controlling the music and automaton; Not currently running and in need of restoration.

53cm 21in high x 53cm 21in wide