A Rare Palais Royal Musical Automaton Organ Grinder in Gilt Bronze and Mother-of-Pearl An exceptionally rare and charming Palais Royal automaton musical box depicting an organ grinder in finely cast gilt bronze, standing beside a miniature barrel organ case constructed in gilt bronze and translucent mother-of-pearl panels. The figure, dressed in Southern European street costume, is beautifully modelled with remarkable detail to the costume, hat and stance. When the movement is activated, the automaton mechanism animates the figure so that the arm moves rhythmically, convincingly turning the crank of the organ, recreating the lively action of a traditional street musician. The organ itself is superbly executed with gilt metal pipe decoration and houses a finely made two-air musical movement with segmented comb, each section having three teeth per segment, mounted on a gilt bedplate. The musical movement is signed “Alibert”, very likely François Alibert, recorded by Tardy as working in Paris at Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau between 1812 and 1830. The automaton drive is positioned behind the mainspring barrel, an arrangement typical of early fine mechanical novelties produced for the Paris luxury trade. The movement is preserved in remarkably clean and original condition, functioning perfectly and producing a bright and pleasing tone. The piece stands on an elegant chased and pierced gilt bronze base with delicate fretted gallery work, raised on finely cast lion paw feet, a design detail frequently encountered in the most luxurious Palais Royal objects of the Restoration period. Objects of this type were sold in the fashionable boutiques of the Palais Royal in Paris, which during the early nineteenth century served as the centre of the luxury goods trade, producing exquisite mechanical novelties, sewing sets, perfume caskets, musical boxes and automata intended for an affluent international clientele. The present example is notable for its excellent state of preservation and originality, with the musical movement in mint condition and the automaton mechanism operating smoothly. Musical automata from the Palais Royal workshops are highly sought after, and examples incorporating animated figures are particularly scarce. A delightful and highly collectible example of French mechanical ingenuity and decorative luxury from the early nineteenth century. Dimensions Height: 6.5 inches (16 cm) Width: 6.5 inches (16 cm) Depth: 6.5 inches (16 cm)