Inv. #G98

A rare early 20th century Swiss gold and rose quartz timepiece. The gold fourteen carrot rectilinear case has an attractive engraved striped pattern on all sides, several stamps along the back bottom edge that include 'Geneva Clock Co.', '2225' and '14K' and a decorative gold band that rests on the molded rose quartz base.

The small circular silvered dial has raised gold Arabic numbers for the hours, gold hands and a rounded gold bezel.

The eight-day time only movement is wound, set and adjusted out the back through shuttered apertures.

Included is the original key and leather covered case.

Height - 1.75in.

Retail Price: SOLD

Inv. #P85

A very early ormolu and patinated-bronze Series II glass dial mystery clock by Robert-Houdin numbered '28' with the original gilt and rosewood stands. The waisted case has a scrolled and reeded ormolu base, a cherub supporting a cartouche flanked by scrolling foliage and two opposing Griffiths above that support the dial. The case is stamped in several interior surfaces '28' and is stamped on the back 'Brevet d'Invention'. The clock rests on a decorative felt covered carved gilt-wood stand and the whole stands on an inlaid rosewood base.

The well-lettered glass dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, a single arrow-shaped ormolu hand and is supported by a round patinated bezel.

The eight-day time and strike movement is housed in the center of the clock case, is wound and set out the back, still retains its original silk thread suspension and pendulum, strikes on a bell, is stamped by the movement maker 'W. Promoli a Paris' and for the inventor, 'Brevet d'Invention' and is stamped '28' in several places.

The secret to its operation is quite ingenious and completely mechanical. There are two glasses in the top. The front glass serves as the dial while the back remains unseen. The hand, although seemingly mounted to the one top glass is really mounted to the back glass and carried on a long arbor through to the front. The back glass is set into a large gear so the teeth follow its circumference. The power is transmitted up through the case by well executed wheelwork and turns the back glass, essentially a large 'glass' gear, that in turn points the hand to the proper time.

This example, No.28, is particularly remarkable because of its age, condition and originality. One spring, as was often the case on earlier clocks, is dated 1839. That date and the low serial number make it one of the earliest known examples. Amazingly, it also still retains the original two sided key and silk-thread pendulum, both stamped '28'.

Ref: Jean-Eugéne Robert-Houdin (1805-1871) was an extraordinary magician, scientist, and inventor most notably of magical automata and a series of mystery clocks. The success and overwhelming interest of the mystery series, in particular this model, allowed Houdin the financial independence to continue to create. For more information on this eminent maker see, 'Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks' by Derek Roberts, Chapter 19.

Height - 22.25in.

Retail Price: SOLD

Inv. #T26

SOLD

c. 1895 French White Marble and Gilt-Bronze Obelisk Clock.

Inv. #F45

The white marble obelisk is adorned with gilt-bronze mounts that include beading along the molded edges, a cherub representing Prometheus, plaques depicting the implements of war, and a large freeze on the front dominated by two nymphs. The whole sits upon ball feet that are supported by a decorated white marble base with a wonderful freeze and a chain border. The white porcelain dial with black lettering has Arabic numbers for the hour chapter, 15-minute marks and nicely cut gilt-bronze hands. The eight-day, twin-barrel movement strikes on a bell and has a Brocot suspension with the fast/slow controlled through the dial. Obelisk clocks became popular in the late eighteenth-century to commemorate military victories and had a revival during the late Victorian era when to decorate using the design elements of the classical period became fashionable.

Height - 26.5in.

SOLD

Inv. #P92

A musically inspired French Charles X mantle clock by Mme. Gentilhomme à Paris. The ormolu case is surmounted by a two-sided music stand, is flanked by musicians in medieval garb playing instruments and stands on a shaped base adorned with musical trophy appliqués and eight bold engine-turned feet. Open on the stand sits the selected musical arrangement titled 'Air de Visitandine'.

The white convex porcelain dial has bold black Roman numerals for the hours, bold five minute marks, Breguet style hands and is signed by the maker, 'Mme Gentilhomme, Palais Royal à Paris'.

The eight day time and strike movement still retains its original silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow adjusted off the back-cock and strikes on a bell.

Ref: Gentilhomme is listed as working in Paris in the first quarter of the nineteenth century.

For a similar clock see 'La Pendule Francais', pg.437.

Height - 15.25in.

SOLD

Inv. #P108

A French Empire ormolu mantle clock by Armingaud le Jeune à Paris that depicts two cherubs playing billiards. The shaped multi-tiered ormolu case has a stepped base with bun feet, another section with animal feet and is adorned with several decorative appliqués and trophies that relate to both the game of billiards and cupid. Above two Amori, one with feathered wings the other with butterfly wings, are playing billiards on a felt covered table supported by female caryatids.

The dial has an ormolu engine-turned center and bezel and steel Breguet-style hands. The well-lettered porcelain chapter ring with Roman numerals for the hours is signed by the maker, 'ARMINGAUD Jne A PARIS'.

The eight-day time and strike movement still retains its original silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow out the dial and strikes on a bell.

Ref: Armingaud le jeune is listed as working in Paris at Bd. St. Martin 1815-1830.
Early billiard tables had a hoop and stick mounted on the table and the ends of the sticks were curved and sometimes padded.

Height - 12.5in.

SOLD

c. 1808 Ormolu and Silvered Frame Clock, Sallot, à Paris.

Inv. #P27

An Empire ormolu and silvered frame clock by Sallot, à Paris. The case, a tribute to the goddess Diana, has matching silvered front and back frames supported by cast ormolu satyrs who are often paired with Diana and represent chastity overcome by lust. The front frame is flanked by mirror ormolu castings of Diana with both bow and arrow. The center is a scene where a shepherd shows his dog the rabbit that he has caught, and above a cherub rides a stag. The finely lettered porcelain dial with blued Lepine style hands is signed by the maker and has a thirty-day calendar. The whole is supported by a black marble base with decorative cast bun feet. The eight-day two-train movement strikes on a bell. The movement has the date 1808, the last year the thirty-day revolutionary dial was used, scratched in the front plate. As is often the case, the original silk-thread suspension was replaced at one time by a steel spring suspension. Fortunately, it was done by a competent repairman and very little of the movement was disturbed. For a similar model see La Pendule Francaise, pg. 336.

Height - 23in.

SOLD

c.1819 Mahogany and Ebony English Regulator Clock, Barwise & Sons, London.

SOLD

c.1930 Chrome Electric Mantle Clock, Bulle, France.

Inv. #F42

A very rare early 20th century battery powered mantle clock by the Bulle clock company. The case is chromed with the exception of the mirror backed etched glass dial which is signed 'Bulle-Clock, France' along the lower edge. The battery is stored in one of the side towers with the wires running along the crosspiece. The movement is a conventional Bulle movement using the same basic principles as the first clocks produced when the company was established about 1920. It is notable that Bulle clocks were fabricated in England after 1934, but they used entirely different materials for the magnets and the pendulums. Although there were nearly 300,000 clocks produced between 1920 and 1952 the vast majority still available are glass domed. This piece truly represents the Art Deco period in which it was manufactured.

Height - 8in.

SOLD

Inv. #F146

An extremely rare early 20th century animated gilt, silvered, coppered and patinated bronze car clock. The dark green painted bronze panels and fenders are highlighted by gilt and silvered bronze trim, coppered lights to the front and roof uprights, silvered horn, brake levers and leaf springs and a gilt bronze hood with patinated side vents and grillwork. The underside of the limousine has coppered exhaust pipes, a silvered differential and the actual driving arbors for the wheels. The four animated black wheels are set on steel spoked rims with gilt and silvered hubs and are apparently driven by the steel ladder chain that runs from a sprocket mounted to the real axel to an engine pulley. Folded silk decorates the glazed windows and the whole stands on four turned gilt bronze stands supported by a black variegated marble base on gilt-bronze feet.

The time-only eight day clock movement is mounted in the door, has a balance wheel escapement, a gilt-bronze hinged bezel with a beveled glass and the winding arbor out the dial. The white porcelain dial has bold well-lettered black Roman numerals for the hours, a minutes chapter and spade-style steel cut hands.

The aneroid barometer is mounted just below the clockwork and has a fitted gilt-bronze bezel with a beveled glass and steel and brass indicator hands. The porcelain scale has barometric pressures listed from 24-31 and the normal weather indications with 'Change' centered at 29.5.

The Fahrenheit thermometer is mounted in the other passenger door, has a hinged bezel with beveled glass, a curved mercury tube with bulbous end and a silvered engraved scale that shows 30-110.

Housed in the cab area is a separate animation movement. The large spring barrel mechanism has a fly wheel governor and is wound out that back. The winding arbor is found under the hinged, silvered license plate engraved 'CH1060'. Once wound, the movement will drive the wheels almost three hours.

Ref: Although there are a few examples in private collections, we are unaware of any ever being sold through auction.
The license plate is engraved 'CH1060'. 'CH' is also stamped into several different components and was probably either the maker or bronzer. We have seen the same 'CH' on other bronze clocks unrelated to the industrial series.
The car design is extremely similar to some of the limousines made during the first decade of the 20th century.
Since the indications are in English it was probably made for aclient within the UK or America.

Height – 12in.
Width – 17.5in.

SOLD

Inv. #F137

A very nice late nineteenth century petite-sonnerie carriage clock. The decorative gilt-bronze bow front case has fluted columns to the corners, a stepped base, decorative cast moldings that wrap around the case, is numbered below, '48570' and has a hinged handle above.

The circular white porcelain dial has a sunken center, black Arabic numbers for the hours and the 15-minute marks and Breguet-style steel hands. Below is the alarm dial with black Arabic numbers and a superbly engine-turned gilt-bronze mask frames both dials.

The eight-day time, strike and alarm movement has the stamped indications in French, is wound, set and adjusted for fast slow off the backplate, is numbered, '48570' in an arc around the lower movement post, has the original lever escapement and balance platform and strikes and repeats on two coil gongs.

The serial number wrapped around the lower post indicates it most likely is by Drocourt.

Height - 6.5in.

SOLD

Inv. #E48

A very rare and unusual early nineteenth century two-sided Scottish skeleton clock with both local and world time by R. Wilkie of Cupar Fife. The decorative eight-day skeletonized movement featuring volutes and ovals has five turned pillars each screwed front and back, nicely cut and finished five-spoke wheelwork, a large diameter fusee wheel, a passing hour strike on a bell mounted above and an anchor escapement. The pendulum has a steel rod, a bimetallic arched bob and a screwed fast/slow adjustment. It is suspended by a steel spring linked to an arbor that serves as a fast/slow micro adjustment and registers against an engraved silver dial. The whole stands on four decorative columns supported by a molded ebonized base with glass dome.

The engraved silvered chapter ring dial has Roman numerals for the hours, steel Lepine style hands and is signed 'R. Wilkie, Cupar Fife'. Most unusually there is a silvered engraved two-piece world time dial on the opposite side. The outer stationary dial has Roman numerals for the hours, two sets of I - XII, with the times of day in English on the outside edge. The finely engraved center rotating dial has forty-eight geographical locations, including England at the '0' mark, with the points of longitude in English along the outside edge.

Ref: R. Wilkie in Cupar Fife is listed as working 1792-1830.

Height - 15in. (w/out dome)

SOLD

Inv. #G28

A very nice mid-Victorian interchangeable music box on the original stand and with the original tune sheet. The inlaid box with canted corners, walnut veneer, ebonises edges and decorative floral inlay to the front and hinged top. The interior of the box is separated into three separate sections. The center section contains the movement and has a glazed hinged cover, on one side is the winder and on the other are the control levers, one to start and stop the box and the other is the tune change.

Inv. #F145

A very rare late-Victorian gilt-bronze four-glass terrestrial globe clock retailed by both Charles Hour and John Wanamaker with the globe by Maison Delamarche. The stately gilt-bronze case has reeded columns to the corners, beveled glasses to all sides and is surmounted by the globe mechanism.

Mounted within a shaped gilt-bronze frame is the globe which is signed 'Maison Delamarche Paris Rue Serpente 25'. It is driven by the movement below and is carried declined. The silvered engraved equatorial ring above has a small fixed sun and Roman numerals for the hours while below is a vertically mounted silvered engraved annual calendar ring. Since this could be used as a teaching instrument provisions are made for both disengaging the clockwork from the mechanism above and for manually advancing the globe-work.

The high quality eight day time and strike movement has a steel suspension, a pin-pallet escapement, is stamped on the back 'CH Hour, France', 'Made in France', 'John Wanamaker, London, New York, Paris', '5453' and carries two arbors that drive the mechanism above.

The gilt-bronze dial has a decorative cast bezel, a sunken dial that indicates days of week, Roman numerals for the hours, steel-cut hands and is signed 'John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, New York, Paris, Ch Hour, France'.

The clock is designed to demonstrate the equation of time – the difference between mean time and solar time. The sun is represented by the gilt piece secured to the equatorial ring. As the clock runs it indicates mean time, but the globe does not consistently rotate on its axis 360 degrees in exactly 24 hours. Instead, it rotates at the solar rate for the day of the year indicated on the scale below. The comparison of the globes position to the time below demonstrates the Equation of Time. Since it is also a 24 hour dial, the equatorial ring also illustrates world time.

Ref:
Charles Hour was originally founded under the name of Diette in 1852. Their stamp is a good indication of quality.
John Wanamaker and Co. was established in 1875 in Philadelphia. They had interests in Paris and London and imported fine European decorative items to the US.
Maison Delamarche was established in Paris in the 18th century by Charles Francois Delamarche (1740-1817). The firm continued to make globes into the 20th century.
Meraux Sale, Sotheby's, Sale 6447, 1993, Lot 483.

Height – 26in.

SOLD

Inv. #P73

A rare early 19th century ebony and ormolu swinging portico clock by LeRoy à Paris. The superb ebony veneered two column portico case has tapered columns with finely cut ebony moldings and numerous ormolu mounts that include decorative appliqués, stylized capitals and engine-turned bun feet.

The clock is housed in the 9-rod gridiron bi-metallic pendulum that has a cast ormolu bob, is suspended via reverse knife-edge and has the fast/slow adjustment in the center. At the bottom is a screwed pointer that indicates circular degrees against a rectangular ormolu indicator and in the center is a steel-cut hand that indicates the degree of compensation.

The ormolu dial has a center of concentric circles with various decorative engine turning, painted Roman numerals for the hours set in recessed circles, a name plaque with 'Le Roy A Paris' and two exceptional steel-cut Breguet-style hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has a crutch that engages a pin on the back of the ormolu register mount. As the clock runs impulse is directed to the crutch and since the pin is immobile the pendulum with the clock swings side to side.

Swinging pendulum clocks had gained popularity in the mid-eighteenth century and continued to be made through the mid 19th century. They ranged both in size and design and like the rest of the decorative arts followed the emerging fashions with this being a particularly refined example.

Ref: For additional information and similar examples see:
Derek Roberts, 'Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks', Chapter 12.

Height - 21.5in.

SOLD

Inv. #P113

A Louis Philippe walnut floor standing year running regulator by Lepaute à Paris. The small, well-proportioned case has nicely figured and colored walnut veneer, satinwood and ebony inlay, canted front corners, a stepped paneled plinth and a removable top.

The engraved silvered dial has Roman numerals for the hours, an ormolu bezel, finely cut Breguet style steel hands and is signed by the maker, 'Lepaute à Paris'.

The large rectangular movement is attached by two large screws with knurled ormolu heads to a massive brass bracket mounted by six steel screws to the backboard. It has finely cut wheelwork with high pinion counts, a dead-beat escapement with steel pallets carried on the backplate, an elongated crutch with a screwed beat adjustment and is powered by a massive weight that falls down a hidden channel behind the backboard.

The massive three rod bi-metallic compensating pendulum is suspended by spring from a shaped bracket with the fast/slow adjustment above. It has Ellicott type compensation within the glazed compartment in the center of the lenticular bob, a compensation indicator hand that points to a scale engraved with 'condensation/delatation', and a small engraved plaque mounted above that reads, 'On Me Remonte Tous Les Ans' (Rely on me through the years).

Ref: The Lepaute dynasty began in 1720 and lasted into the 20th century. They were an exceedingly talented family whose works are represented in some of the best collections in the world including the Frick and Metropolitan Museum of Art. This clock most likely was produced in the workshop of Henry Lepaute.

Height – 76.5in.

SOLD