Why You’ll Love It
A true showpiece automata, this extraordinary one-of-a-kind Keith Bougourd creation transforms miniature furniture into moving art. Turn the side crank and a tiny sailing ship glides across painted waves, a seagull hovers above, and a whimsical red kraken-like octopus rises and dips in motion beneath. All enclosed in an acrylic display case. The chest below is made of richly figured burlwood, with hand-sculpted details. It boasts two functional drawers below (the top drawer is permanently closed), each lined in a gorgeous ocean blue. This piece feels equal parts curiosity, storytelling, and miniature theater. Dated 2015.
Perfect to display in a study, library, gentleman’s room, nautical vignette, or a stately boy's bedroom chambers.
Details
Materials: Burlwood, acrylic, clay, paper
Scale & Size: 1:12 scale; chest 3 ¼” wide; display box height 1 ½”
Condition: Excellent vintage condition
Artist: Keith Bougourd, Small Time Miniatures (France)
Collection: The Maureen Fukushima Collection
Please Note: The “automata sailing ship chest with integrated moving scene and acrylic cover” is included only. Other accessories and dolls shown are for staging purposes.
A Note About Value
Every miniature we offer has been carefully evaluated for its craftsmanship, rarity, condition, provenance, and collectibility. Many of the artisan pieces we sell are one-of-a-kind works that may never appear on the market again. While original retail prices provide an interesting historical reference, they rarely reflect decades of appreciation, the artist's legacy, or the scarcity of surviving examples.
Our pricing reflects the miniature's place within today's collector market and the years we've spent studying the artists, histories, and values that make these tiny works of art so special.
A Commitment to Research
Every miniature has a story, and uncovering it is one of our greatest passions. We carefully research each piece, but unsigned or illegible works can remain mysteries. If you can identify an artist or provide additional information, we'd be delighted to hear from you and will gladly update the listing to preserve their legacy.
