Inv. #F151

A very rare massive French black marble and silvered and gilt-bronze conical clock by Farcot. The large shaped and stepped black Belgian marble case is decorated with engraved, gilt decorative designs and has several gilt-bronze mounts that include lions to the sides, six decorative feet, a floral appliqué and a cast decorative bezel with a thick beveled glass. Surmounting the marble base is a classically inspired partially clad silvered-bronze female figure with gilt highlights.

The gilt and engraved polished marble dial has Roman numerals for the hours, is signed by the retailer, 'Schonberger, Wien', has gilt hands, a decorative center and still retains the ink stamp of the manufacture on the reverse.

The eight-day time and strike movement is stamped with the maker's marks including 'Farcot BTE SGCG A Paris' and '37707', strikes on a bell and incorporates Farcot's patented conical escapement. The gilt-bronze pendulum rod with screwed micro-adjustments is suspended by a silk-thread from above, has a blue two-piece star-studded bob that incorporates the fast/slow and is driven below by a silvered hand against an engraved silvered scale.

Ref: E. Farcot was an ingenious maker of mystery and novelty clocks. He worked from the Rue des Trois Bornes, Paris for thirty years beginning in 1860. He was granted patents for his conical design in 1865 and 1872 and exhibited his wares at the International Exhibitions; London (1862), Paris (1861, 1867 and 1878) and Philadelphia (1876).

Height - 42.5in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F148

A late-nineteenth century gilt-bronze carriage clock with champlevee panels. The stylized cannelee case has a molded bottom, a slightly exaggerated molded top, a bold shaped hinged handle above and four decorative polychrome champlevee panels to the sides and top.

The dial has a gilt-bronze chapter with a raised decorative edge, Roman numerals for the hours, gilt half-hour marks on a black ground and steel spade hands. The champlevee work that frames the dial has a blue ground while the interior has a purple ground.

The eight-day time and strike movement has a horizontally mounted balance wheel platform above, strikes and repeats on a gong, is wound and set off the backplate, has the indications engraved in English and has a 'B' within a circle stamped beside the lower left pillar.

Ref: For a listing of the maker see Charles Allix's 'Carriage Clocks' where he notes the mark and suggests it might be Brunelot.

Height – 5.375 in. (case only)

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F141

A large and impressive Victorian mantle clock by the eminent firm Raingo Frères, Paris.

The glazed architectural gilt-bronze case has decorative and beaded moldings, three recessed panels that depict frolicking cherubs amongst scrolling foliage, a detailed, hinged bezel with a ribbon above and an acanthus leaf garland below and is stamped by the maker, 'Raingo, 320'. The whole stands on a red variegated marble base.

The large white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, black Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks, decorative gilt half hour marks, two superbly detailed hands and has the maker's name in red script, 'Raingo Frers, Paris'.

The large eight day time and strike movement has a steel suspension, rack-striking and a heavy starburst pendulum and both the pendulum and backplate are stamped, 'Raingo, 320'.

Height – 21.25in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F144

A very nice late-Victorian gilt and silvered bronze sailing compendium. The well-cast sailboat has a single mast with realistic rigging, an anchor up front, several buoys and a compass in the shape of a ships wheel mounted to the rudder. The whole stands on a rectangular Onyx base with four bold gilt-bronze feet.

Mounted in the center within a silvered-bronze case wrapped with rope is the barometer. It has a beveled glass, a painted silvered dial with barometric pressure and both steel and brass indicator hands.

The eight day time only clock movement is suspended from the boom above, has a thick rounded front glass, a visible escapement, is wound and set off the backplate and is accessed by a hinged back door. It also has several small feet that allow it to be set down once removed from the boom.

The painted silvered dial has Arabic numbers for the hours and steel-cut hands.

Height – 13.5in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F138

An exceptionally well-made late nineteenth century gorge cased grand-sonnerie carriage clock retailed by Caldwell & Co. The gilt-bronze gorge-style case has well-defined moldings, pinched corners, a hinged handle and beveled glasses to all sides.

The well-lettered white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, black Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks and the alarm hours, steel Breguet-style hands and is signed by the retailer, 'J.E. Caldwell & Co., France'.

The eight-day grand-sonnerie movement has the repeat out the top, the control lever for grand/petit/silence out the base and a very nice balance platform above with a damascened plate, a bimetallic balance wheel, a steel regulator plate and a flat hairspring with a Breguet overcoil. The back plate is stamped and numbered by the maker, 'ETC', '30', has all the indications in English, has 'Thirteen 13 Jewels' engraved along the bottom edge of the back plate, has 'Laizon & Deron' engraved mid-way up as it is also engraved on the case right behind the movement and has the retailer engraved across the back, 'JE Caldwell & Co.'.

Ref: ETC is listed in Allix's book and Laizon and Deron also retailed the example from which he found the stamp.

Height – 5.25in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F129

A rare late-Victorian French patinated, gilt and silvered bronze animated bicycle clock. Above a well-cast patinated man dressed in a uniform and wearing a kepi stands on a rockwork ground and pushes a gilt and silvered-bronze Penny Farthing bicycle. 'Made in France' is stamped along the back edge of the rockwork. The whole stands on a molded gilt bronze frame that is supported by a red marble base with turned feet.

The clock, barometer and thermometer each have gilt-bronze bezels, beveled glasses and are mounted in the red base. The Aneroid barometer has an engraved silvered dial with the appropriate weather indications in English, a gilt-bronze center and both a steel and a gilt-bronze indicator hand. The Fahrenheit scale has a silvered, engraved dial, a gilt-bronze center and a curved mercury thermometer. The silvered painted clock dial has a silvered cast center, black Arabic numbers for the hours and steel cut hands.

The eight-day time only movement is wound and adjusted through the dial and has a balance platform with a cylinder escapement.

Housed in the red marble base is the separate animation movement. The large spring barrel mechanism has a fly-wheel governor and is wound out the back through an aperture with a gilt-bronze screwed escutcheon. When wound it turns the two bicycle wheels for approximately 8 hours.

Ref:
The bicycle is referred to as a 'Penny Farthing' or the 'Ordinary'. The first high wheel bicycle was built in 1869 and they became a standard symbol of the late Victorian period once they were mass produced outside of Boston beginning in 1878. See: Derek Roberts, 'Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy', front cover and pg. 268.

Height - 14.75in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F131

A late Victorian black marble patinated metal and gilt-bronze mystery clock. The black marble case has gilt-incised floral decoration and several gilt-bronze mounts that include ringed lions to the sides, a cast egg and dart bezel with a thick beveled glass and four feet with stylized paw feet to the front. All the case mounts are stamped or inscribed with the case number, '1717'. Above stands a patinated metal Nubian princess. She is supported by a gilt-bronze platform and from her raised arm hangs the pendulum. It has a threaded steel rod with shaped decorative gilt-bronze turnings and a gilt-bronze bob with a heavy beveled clear glass center.

The black marble dial has engraved gilt Roman numerals for the hours and gilt bronze spade hands. The typically large eight day time and strike movement is stamped with both the maker's mark, 'GLT', and the movement serial number, '1466'.

The obvious mystery is why does the pendulum move? There is no apparent connection between it and the movement so what keeps it going? The answer is quite ingenious. The gilt-bronze platform on which the statue stands can oscillate side to side since it is mounted to a thick adjustable arbor that is pivoted top and bottom within the case. Perpendicularly screwed to that arbor is another arm that engages the patented escapement mounted on the front end. As the polished tip of that arm gets pushed over by the escapement it rotates the platform and swings the pendulum. The length of the pendulum, like all clocks, controls the rate of the clock. The platform and statue move so little that it is difficult to see without magnification.

For a more detailed discussion on Mystery clocks see, 'Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks' by Derek Roberts, pg. 241.

Height - 24.75 in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F132

A very rare late nineteenth century swinging glass dial mystery clock by the eminent firm Robert-Houdin. The decorative patinated metal base is elaborately ornamented with floral reliefs, stands on large decorative feet at the front and to the sides and supports the two classically attired polychrome female figures joined at the top by a decorative bracket. Mounted to the bracket is the steel rod that carries the adjustable suspension block and pin.

The clock is composed of a glass dial, a grid-iron center mounted with the suspension spring and a dark blue painted sphere with silvered bronze stars that houses the movement. The small eight-day movement has the single winding aperture hidden behind a moveable star while the crutch rises out the back and engages the pin above. Once running the clock rocks side to side pivoting at the point of suspension.

The circular glass dial has a chamfered edge and gilded lettering on a black ground. It has Roman numerals for the hours, is signed by the maker, 'Robert-Houdin, Paris' and has two decorative gilt hands. Housed in the center and accessed by a shutter back is the driving force for the hands. Although there is no apparent connection between the two movements, the motion work in the center of the dial is indeed dependent on the rocking powered from below. As the clock swings a small weighted pendulum falls side to side and delivers the necessary impulse to drive the motion work and in turn the large decorative hands. Since the hands are driven by a very delicate center movement they are perfectly balanced by small cylinders of lead.

Ref: This piece would have been completed by Robert-Houdin Jr. who took over the shop in 1859 and continued into the 20th century.

Height - 26in.

Retail Price: On request

Inv. #F116

A very rare late-nineteenth century French mystery turtle clock by Planchon, Paris. The six-sided gilt-bronze case has nicely engraved decorative motifs throughout that include spandrels on top, two bands that wrap around the sides and the makers name, "Planchon a Paris". It sits upon a molded base with prone lions as feet and has a screwed bezel with a mahogany modesty panel above. The two-part case is secured together by three swing latches and has a hinged door below that is stamped on the interior, "Planchon Paris, Made in France" and affords access to the movement. The case is also stamped with both the case-maker's mark and serial number, "EM, 1402" and the movement number 1498.

The engraved pewter tray is removable, set in the bezel above, has Roman numerals for the hours, decorative half-hour marks, a quarter-hour chapter along the inside edge and a decorative center. When the tray is filled with water the floating turtle indicates the time.

The horizontally mounted time-only eight-day movement has a balance wheel escapement, is wound by removing the upper part of the case and has an indexed brass wheel. It duplicates the hour dial, carries a circular magnet and is stamped, "Planchon A Paris, 1402, Made in France".

This particular example is exceptional because of the makers' extraordinary reputations and the fact that it is an unusual form in a diminutive size. 'EM' are the initials for Etienne Maxant. He produced extremely well-detailed work usually inspired by the classical periods.

Height - 3.5in.
Diameter of Tray - 6in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F111

A very rare Victorian gilt-bronze and porcelain Chariot mantle clock by Dent à Paris. The gilt-bronze scene above includes two cherubs in the midst of an animated conversation sitting atop a chariot that is being pulled by two goats. Below is an oval porcelain base that is supported by a gilt-bronze frame with scrolling foliage as feet. The nicely painted porcelain is decorated with playing cherubs on a blue ground.

The well-designed dial has a gilt-bronze frame that simulates the spokes of the chariot, white Roman numerals on blue cartouche plaques for the hours, a blue porcelain center disc with the maker's name, 'Dent à Paris', on a white banner and nice steel-cut hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has the fast slow out the dial, strikes on a bell and is stamped by the maker, 'Dent à Paris'.

This model is particularly nice because it is finished on all sides and was designed to be viewed from all angles so it could be placed in front of a mirror and the reflection will be equally pleasing.

Height - 15in.
Length - 20in.

Retail Price: On Request.

Inv. #F65

A very nice late-Victorian Cobalt blue porcelain swinging lyre clock. The two-piece blue porcelain frame has well cast gilt-bronze mounts that include a Gorgon, a lyre shaped backplate and numerous garlands, swags, molded edges and floral mounts.

The well-lettered porcelain dial has black Arabic numbers for the hours, red Arabic 15-minute marks, polychrome swags and wonderful gilt-bronze lyre form hands.

The two-train eight-day movement strikes on a bell. The pendulum is suspended from behind the Gorgon on a knife-edge suspension. The gridiron rods support a block that in turn supports both the rod that engages the crutch and the silvered ring that is mounted with pay stones and surrounds the dial. The whole swings as the clock runs.

This clock is in superb condition. The porcelain is perfect and the gilding is original.

The Gorgon head is most often associated with Medusa, the most famous of the three sisters, and was commonly placed on warrior shields for protection. The name, however, originally translated as 'Sovereign Female Wisdom' and lacked the gruesome implications of later myths.

Height - 14in.

Inv. #F66

A particularly nice mid-Victorian quarter-striking candlestick clock with a porcelain plaque. The cast gilt-bronze frame has an extremely detailed porcelain plaque in the center, the movement above and stands on a hexagonal white piece of marble that is mounted to an oval felt covered ebonized base with the original shade.

The polychrome porcelain plaque depicts a cherub amongst the clouds wrapped in a blanket holding a sprig of wheat encircled by a raised gilt and blue border. The porcelain chapter ring dial has blue well-lettered Roman numerals for the hours, steel-cut tre-foil hands and is signed by the maker 'Pert. Bally, Paris'.

Above sits the time and strike eight-day movement that strikes the quarters by torsion on two bells mounted above. The back plate is stamped by both the ebauche maker, 'Pons', and the finisher, 'Bally'. The pendulum has an engraved lenticular bob and is suspended by a steel suspension spring that is regulated out the dial above the twelve.

In Tardy's, A. Philibert Bally is listed as exhibiting a quarter striking clock in Paris in 1867. His last recorded working address was on Rue d'Aboukir in 1870.

The whole, including the base and shade, is original and complete.

Height - 14.5in.

Height with Dome -15.5in.

Inv. #F69

A mid 19th century one-piece gilt-bronze carriage clock signed Auguste a Paris. The rectilinear case has engraved scrolling foliage throughout, thick beveled glasses, a cast handle and a cast back door.

The white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours and steel cut Breguet style hands.

The eight-day time and strike on a bell movement is wound through the back, has a countwheel on the backplate and is stamped on the edge of the front plate by the maker, 'Auguste a Paris'. It still retains its original balance platform with a Lever escapement, cast cocks, a smooth steel balance wheel and regulation for the fast/slow at the back.

The whole has been restored and functions as originally intended.

Height - 5 1/8 in. (h/down)

Inv. #F17

The Louis XVI style gilt-bronze and porcelain case with blue ground is signed Bourdin on the porcelain column, the movement and the dial. The gilt-bronze case is stamped Masselotte along the bottom edge. The fluted porcelain column and the urn are both decorated with gilt scrollwork and are flanked by nicely modeled cherubs. All sit upon a double base with a decorative frieze. The dial is white porcelain with very finely lettered blue numerals. The two-train eight day movement has an anchor escapement and strikes on a bell. This model was originally designed by Osmond, an eighteenth century bronzer. Height 18in.

For similar models see Le Pendule Francais, page 231; Vergolten Bronzen, pg. 177

Retail Price: On Request.

c. 1885 Monumental Gilt-Bronze, Silvered and White Marble Annular Dial Clock.

Inv. #F35

This extremely large gilt-bronze, silvered and white marble annular dial clock features Urania, the muse of astronomy. The large gilt-bronze female figure sits on one side of the clock with her foot casually extending over the edge. She indicates the time, with pointer, on the single multipiece annular ring which rotates in the silvered and star studded sphere supported by a white marble plinth. Also housed in the sphere is the eight-day time-only movement with a balance wheel escapement. The top half of the sphere is removed to afford access to wind and regulate the clock. Both the figure and the sphere sit upon a large white marble base supported by four bold feet. This clock is surprisingly large and impressive when viewed in person. The original by Lepaute is in Le Chateau de Fontainebleau and is pictured in their catalogue.

Height - 27in.

Retail Price: On Request.

c.1885 Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock signed Tiffany and Company, New York.

Inv. #F38

Personifying the Triumphe of Love, a very nice quality Louis XVI style gilt-bronze French mantel clock commissioned and signed by Tiffany and Company, New York. Flanking the dial and representing both Love and War are two well-cast, appropriately garbed ormolu cherubs, Cupid and Mars. The finely lettered porcelain dial has a Roman numeral hour's chapters, an Arabic minute chapter, is signed 'Tiffany & Compy, New York' in extremely small and precise lettering and has gilt-bronze cast hands. It also has the unusual and still unexplained feature of having a '2' lettered directly above the twelve. The eight-day two-train movement strikes on a bell, has the fast/slow through the dial and is stamped 'Tiffany & Compy, 851'. It still retains its original pendulum as the bob is also numbered 851. The clock stands upon four stylized lion's feet. This model was first designed by the bronzer Vion in 1770 and is in his pattern book. For similar period models see Vergoldete Bronzen, pg. 180, La Pendule Francais, pages 238 and 291 and French Bronze Clocks, pg. 114.

Height - 10.25in.

c.1885 French Gilt-Bronze, Porcelain and White Marble Column Clock, Etienne Maxant, Paris.

Inv. #F39

This is a very nice Victorian mantel clock that, like its rare period predecessor, personifies Love and Friendship. The light blue, white and gilt porcelain column stands in the center and houses the clock. The small porcelain dial has black lettering, roman numerals for the hour chapter and Arabic numbers for the minute chapter, gilt-bronze hands and is signed 'Fd. Berthoud, a Paris'. It was common practice for the Victorian makers who were interested in making accurate copies of period pieces to keep the period makers' names on the dials. A partially draped gilt-bronze maiden leans upon the porcelain column. In one hand she supports the portrait of Charles X while in the other are two flaming hearts representing eternal love. On the other side is a small boy playing with a dog, a symbol of fidelity. The whole stands upon a molded white marble base that is adorned with gilt-bronze mounts backed by patinated plaques. The two-train twin-barrel movement is accessed through a glass door on the back, has a balance wheel escapement and strikes on a bell. The movement is stamped EM for Etienne Maxant who is listed 1880-1905. We've owned several clocks by Etienne Maxant, all of which were very high quality copies of period models. This clock is a copy of a very rare model in which approximately ten are known to exist.

Height - 13.5 in.

Retail Price: On Request.

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.

c. 1885 Victorian Patinated and Ormolu Shield Form Clock and Barometer Set.

Inv. #F42X

The matching Empire-style shield shaped patinated cases are adorned with extremely well cast ormolu mounts which include laurel branches, winged figures, cast engine-turned bezels and are each topped by burnished globes. The white porcelain clock dial has black lettering, Breguet style hands and gold dots for the five-minute markers. The barometer dial is also white porcelain with black lettering and indicates barometric pressure between 27 and 29. The clock has a twin-barrel eight-day movement that strikes on a bell and a silk-thread suspension. The case designs are clearly from the empire period and the quality is equivalent to that found on pieces of the empire period, but we feel the pair was made in the late nineteenth century. Such pieces were often manufactured by firms such as Henry Dasson to supply an increasing population of wealthy clientele whose tastes harkened back to the classical periods. The great demand for classically influenced designs combined with the rarity of certain exceptional pieces presented an opportunity for the prominent bronzers. They copied pieces that were universally admired. The difference between these exceptional copies and normal Victorian pieces is that these extraordinary pieces were made exactly as the originals including fire gilding the bronze to achieve the proper color and luminescence. Matching pairs were usually special ordered and complete pairs are considered exceedingly rare. The original model is pictured in Tardy, Volume II, page 342.

Height 16in.
Width 10.5in.