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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA997306
FOR SALE
£2,950
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Early 20th Century Clockwork Diorama
The House of Antiques
for sale €3,452     $3,747
£2,950
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2022
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Id #SA997306
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Early 20th Century Clockwork Diorama

1900 - 1920
Description

Early 20th century clockwork Automaton Diorama

A truly wonderful example of an early 20th Century Dutch clockwork automaton diorama. The animation takes place after both clockwork mechanisms are wound up. You pull the side rod to make the men play cards, halfway through the animation of chattering one of the players wife’s jumps into the room to tell them off. The men jump back, and one of the men’s wigs comes off as a result. The entire mechanism is scratch built and even after all these years still works. This item has several handwritten notes to the sliding reverse cover, explaining which way to turn the clockwork mechanism and explain not to keep the item in sunlight. A real museum piece in our humble opinion.

Origin: Dutch / EU

Material: Pine and paper

Age: 1920 – 1930

Size: Height 13” x Width 18” x Depth 5”

Condition Report

A naturally aged item, that has stood the test of time, obvious loss to surface area with loss to wooden areas due to age and natural wear. The pine has discoloured as does the paper labels. We believe the glass facial has been replaced recently to protect the paper animated section inside. This item come with its own working keep. The mechanism can be a tad temperamental but works fine once it gets going. This is an old untouched item, expect age related conditions.

Its exceedingly difficult to photograph all the areas of these pieces, therefore we strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase.

For multiple years we have sold antique and vintage items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items are only restored due to breaks and loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.

Physical Dimensions
Height
33cm (12.99")
Width
45cm (17.72")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Declaration

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Clockwork Diorama Box to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA997306
Dealers Internal Reference
cards please
Description
Early 20th century clockwork Automaton Diorama

A truly wonderful example of an early 20th Century Dutch clockwork automaton diorama. The animation takes place after both clockwork mechanisms are wound up.

“
You pull the side rod to make the men play cards, halfway through the animation of chattering one of the players wife’s jumps into the room to tell them off.
The House of Antiques

The men jump back, and one of the men’s wigs comes off as a result. The entire mechanism is scratch built and even after all these years still works. This item has several handwritten notes to the sliding reverse cover, explaining which way to turn the clockwork mechanism and explain not to keep the item in sunlight. A real museum piece in our humble opinion.

fig 1. An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.
fig 1. Early 20th Century Clockwork Diorama

Origin: Dutch / EU

Material: Pine and paper

Age: 1920 – 1930

Size: Height 13” x Width 18” x Depth 5”

Condition Report

A naturally aged item, that has stood the test of time, obvious loss to surface area with loss to wooden areas due to age and natural wear. The pine has discoloured as does the paper labels. We believe the glass facial has been replaced recently to protect the paper animated section inside. This item come with its own working keep. The mechanism can be a tad temperamental but works fine once it gets going. This is an old untouched item, expect age related conditions.

fig 2. An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.
fig 2. Early 20th Century Clockwork Diorama

Its exceedingly difficult to photograph all the areas of these pieces, therefore we strongly suggest reviewing all the photos provided as part of this advert and propose questions where sections are unclear to avoid disappointment upon purchase.

fig 3. An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.
fig 3. Early 20th Century Clockwork Diorama

For multiple years we have sold antique and vintage items globally, please expect our items to show relevant age and natural wear, Items are only restored due to breaks and loss, and we always stipulate this in our condition report.

Height
33cm (12.99")
Width
45cm (17.72")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Date of Manufacture

The House of Antiques has dated this Antique Clockwork Diorama Box to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA997306
Dealers Internal Ref
cards please
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2022
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The House of Antiques Profile Page

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An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.
1 / 12
Archive I An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.

Early 20th century clockwork Diorama

Archive II An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View II
Archive III An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View III
Archive IV An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View IV
Archive V An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View V
Archive VI An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View VI
Archive VII An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View VII
Archive VIII An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View VIII
Archive IX An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View IX
Archive X An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View X
Archive XI An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View XI
Archive XII An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
The House of Antiques

The House of Antiques
Telephone 07568 151 752
Location
22 Goodmayes Lane
Ilford
Essex
IG3 9NZ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
Items For Sale 141
Items Sold 11
The House of Antiques
The House of Antiques
Verified Since Nov 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: 22 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9NZ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/thehouseofantiques
Verified
Nov 2022
For Sale
141
Sold
11
An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.
Early 20th century clockwork Diorama
Ref: SA997306
An early twentieth-century framed mechanical diorama depicting four men playing cards around a table inside a tavern.
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

An antique clockwork diorama is a three-dimensional boxed scene featuring mechanical figures driven by internal clockwork mechanisms. Popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these decorative objects often depicted tavern scenes, maritime vistas, or domestic trades, combining folk art craftsmanship with horological engineering.

These pieces typically feature hand-carved wood, papier-mache, or painted metal figures set within a glazed wooden frame. The internal movement is constructed using brass gears, iron springs, and thin wire linkages that drive the subtle motions of the characters.

Authentic period dioramas exhibit hand-painted detailing with natural age patina, original glass fronting, and hand-cut mechanical components rather than modern plastics. Additionally, period pieces often show signs of historical wear on the key-wind mechanism and backboard construction.

Display the diorama on a dark wood bookshelf or mantelpiece alongside vintage leather-bound books and brass accents to complement its historical narrative. Spotlighting the piece with dedicated accent lighting will highlight the depth and texture of the layered internal composition.

Keep the piece in a climate-controlled room away from direct sunlight and high humidity to protect the painted paper or papier-mache elements. Avoid over-winding the internal spring mechanism, and consult a professional horologist for periodic cleaning and lubrication.
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