Important and beautiful "Black Forest" clock with organ and rare double row of 24 automata, 23 keys including 22 musical ones, 4 registers, 9 tunes. Interchangeable wooden cylinder, 48 cm long, 12 cm diameter (only 1 present). Front painted with two Oriental-style figures, surrounding an enamelled sheet metal dial with Roman numerals. Triggering of the music and striking of the gong at the passing of the hour, and setting in motion of the 24 automata composed of : 12 musician infantrymen in the upper section (flutes, hunting horns, bassoon). In the center of the lower section, a turntable supports 4 (out of five) dancers, flanked by two groups of 4 musician cavalrymen (trumpets and hunting horns). One of them is missing an arm. At the start of the cycle, the musicians hold their instruments to their mouths, the dancers twirl, and the horses pivot a quarter turn from left to right. When the music stops, the instruments are folded down, the movements cease, and the rare wooden disc balance. Two-part blackened wood sheath, glazed top, bronze handles with hand motif, 255 x 82 x 57 cm. Very good condition, good working order, good musicality. We enclose a handwritten document from the period under glass stating "Reçu de Monsieur Borniche Maire la somme de cinq cent cinquante francs pour une horloge à musique que je lui ai livré Neuilly St Front le 26 mai 1836, (signed Barthelemy)", enabling us to accurately date this clock, which remains in its very fine original condition apart from the few restorations mentioned. Provenance: Sold at Fontainebleau in 2015. 6 figurines were missing and have been remarkably reproduced (three dancers and three infantrymen). You can view the video of this lot by copying and pasting this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYjkD2qvv5U