315. 315W An exceptional, fine and rare mid 19th century musical automata diorama of the River Danube featuring twelve automata functions A Orillas Del Danubio, 'On the banks of the Danube' The scene hand-painted in oils depicting towns and woodland surrounding the meandering river with a spreading ocean to the right, all set beneath a pink-tinged sky. The time is shown (minute hand missing) on a 3.5cm painted Roman dial set into the top of a brickwork tower situated at the top of a hill, with houses and the city wall below. A road bridge and a railway viaduct cross the river, and in the left hand corner is a functioning forge complete with a standing horse being shod by a pair of farriers while two blacksmiths fan the forge and work at the anvil. The automata functions include: A small paddle steamer and a sailing boat passing by to the rear right A large three-masted ship tossing on the paper waves A semaphore pole twisting its upper arm on the small tower The hours struck on the bell in the larger tower A water wheel spinning in the front centre Two trains (one with a steam engine and three carriages, the other missing its engine, but with four carriages) traversing the viaduct Two horse drawn carriages crossing the road bridge The farrier hammering the shoe on the horse The first blacksmith hammering a rod on the anvil The second blacksmith fanning the bellows The red and orange painted flames of the fire rising and falling The windmill on the hill turning its sails. All set to work together by pulling a knob to the right hand side of the case. A 30cm pinned brass barrel would play a tune while the automata runs, but this requires some attention. The clock movement is wound every eight days by lifting the glass front and removing a section of building. In all, there are five movements to wind; the one that controls the tossing ship is stamped J.C.Cailly, Brevete and Eude. The automata functions are currently running but would benefit from a sympathetic service. The musical movement will require attention before it can play, although there are no obvious pin or tooth losses visible in situ. In the 20th century, a series of small lights have been set into the case to highlight certain areas, these being driven by a set of six AA batteries some of which have leaked over the years. The front glass panel is perfect, the gilt frame is very good with only very minor losses/cracks commensurate with age and use. 147cm wide, 96cm high, 30cm deep. Provenance Property of a Distinguished Private Collector