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.

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.

A very rare late-nineteenth century giant French Limoges paneled gilt and silvered-bronze grand-sonnerie carriage clock retailed by Tiffany & Co., New York. The massive two-tone case is a variation of the Anglaise Riche style and has a flared and stepped base, dentil work, a hinged fluted handle, detached fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, well-cast finials, Limoges panels to the front and sides, a viewing glass for the balance and four bold stylized toupie feet.

The superbly executed and classically inspired panels depict Cupid in various romantic pursuits. The scenes are on dark blood-red translucent grounds and are accentuated by swirling gold clouds and gilt highlights. The dial has Arabic numbers for the hours, gold spade hands, is signed by the retailer, 'Tiffany and Co, New York' and is also signed in the lower corner by the artist with the superimposed initials 'TS'.

The outstanding eight-day grand-sonnerie striking movement is wound and set out the back, has a three position strike control lever out the base, screwed and pinned corner pillars, strikes on two gongs, is engraved on the backplate by the retailer, 'Tiffany & Co, New York', is stamped '4351', still retains the original high quality jeweled and capped balance platform and has a unique set-up on the front end that allows the hands to be safely turned backwards.

Ref: For a similar case see: 'Fine Carriage Clocks', Fanelli, pg. 63 or 'The Carriage Clock, 200 Years of Timely Allure', Vitale and Vitale, pg. 13.

For an example of a clock with Limoges panels that are also signed 'TS' see 'Fine Carriage Clocks', Fanelli, pg.50-51.

We are unaware of another grand-sonnerie carriage clock that allows the hands to be safely turned backwards and would appreciate any further information.

Provenance: Edward F Searles of Methuen MA and then by descent.

Height – 8in. (case only)
Height - 9.325in. (handle-up)

Retail Price: On Request.

A miniature French cannelee cased carriage clock with a calendar and moondial by the eminent firm LeRoy & Fils. The gilt-bronze case has a molded top and bottom, shaped uprights, beveled glasses to all sides, and a shaped, hinged handle.

The well-lettered porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, red Arabic five-minute marks, black spade hands and is signed, 'LeRoy & Fils, Palais Royal, 13 & 15'. Sunken in the center is the engraved silvered 31-day calendar dial with a steel indicator hand and below is the moon aperture with a silvered moon and gold stars on a blued ground.

The eight-day time-only movement is wound and set off the backplate, has the indications in French, has screwed and pinned corner posts, retains the original balance platform and is stamped '12531', '12897' and 'PG' with a star and dividers within a triangle.

Reference: We are only aware of one other example of this model and it is in a private collection.

The trademark stamp is that of Gontard who was well-know for an escapement used in conjunction with Jacot's roulants in Bolviller's carriage clocks.

LeRoy was a well-known and highly respected maker and retailer.

Height – 2.875 in. (case only)

Retail Price: On Request.

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: $19,500.

A massive late 19th century French carved mantle clock by JM Van Der Kemp, Paris. The large classically inspired walnut case has crisp detailed moldings on the shaped base and arched top. A depiction of the Birth of Venus surmounts the clock as a carved figure of an outstretched Venus holding flowing drapery stands in a shell supported by two dolphins on a decorative plinth. Extremely well-cast gilt-bronze capitals and appliqués adorn the front and the onyx pilasters to the corners. To the front and sides are extremely well-carved panels that are decorated with garlands, marked in the corners 'VDK' and depict Venus in various poses.

The large, square eight day time and strike movement has the winding arbors off the backplate, is signed by the maker, 'Van Der Kemp, Paris', has a Brocot escapement, and strikes on a gong.

The classically inspired ivory dial has finely cast gilt bronze hands and bezel, is wonderfully painted, set beneath glass and is signed by the noted miniature dial painter 'Paillet'.

Ref: Paillet is noteworthy as he produced miniature ivory dials for some of the top watch firms including the jewelers Lacloche Frères.

Height – 37in.

Retail Price: $22,000.

A superb late-nineteenth century gilt-bronze porcelain mounted calendar clock by J.B. Delettrez. The engraved and chased oval frame is surmounted by bold cascading acanthus and oak leaf clusters tied by a ribbon. It stands on four volutes adorned with garlands and is supported by a shaped base with four bold gadrooned feet. Decorating the front are four shaped pink porcelain plaques that depict putti in various poses amongst gilt floral designs. The plaques are hand lettered on the backs '22207', the case is stamped '28207' and the rear gilt-bronze fretted bezel is stamped '28206'.

The white porcelain clock dial has a sunken center with a plain gilt-bronze bezel, Roman numerals for the hours, very fine Breguet-style hands and carries the Brocot escapement. The white porcelain calendar dial has the months and equation of time on the outside chapter and has a sunken center with the date, day and a painted night scene with an aperture to show the phases of the moon. One of the three finely cut steel hands carries a gilt sun to indicate the equation of time.

The eight-day time and strike movement strikes on a bell, has both a Brocot pin-pallet escapement and adjustable steel suspension, a heavy shaped pendulum bob and is stamped '28952', '219' and 'JBD' on the backplate and 'Delettrez' on the inside plate.

The perpetual calendar movement is mounted below the clock movement, is set and adjusted off the back, advanced by the linkage from the clockworks and stamped on both the backplate and the mounting plate '25403'.

Ref: Jean-Baptiste Delettrez (1816-1887) went into business with A. Brocot in 1851 at 62 Rue Charlot in Paris and exhibited together at the 1857 Universal Exhibition. By the exhibition of 1878 he was exhibiting clocks and bronzes alone.

Meraux Collection, Sotheby’s, 1993, Sale 6447, Lot 126.

Height – 16.5in.

Retail Price: $22,000.

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: $ 7,200.

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.

Retail Price: $45,000.

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.

Retail Price: On Request.

A large late-nineteenth century brass globe timepiece. The brass circular base and turned cast column support the globe, dial and the silvered ball that represents the sun. The eight inch globe is labeled in English, has longitude and latitude lines, is very detailed and has 'Patent 19460, The Empire Clock, Cable' on an oval shaped label. A brass fretted marker is secured at the top by a knurled shaped finial and by the axis arbor at the bottom. It indicates the time and can be adjusted to a specific meridian.

The silvered, engraved dial serves as the equator and has black waxed Roman numerals for the nighttime hours and red ones for the daytime.

The eight-day time only movement is housed in the base, has a lever escapement and is wound, set and adjusted out the bottom. Stamped into the bottom plate are double 'S. Smith and Sons, Ltd' and 'Made in France', and '299'.

These pieces were made in France for the English market and retailed by established firms like Smith and Sons.

Height - 16in.

Retail Price: $ 7,500.

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.

Retail Price: $6,500.

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: $7,500.

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.

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: $15,000.

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

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: $ 9,500.

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: $15,000.

A very nice quality late nineteenth century French engraved porcelain paneled carriage clock by Drocourt. The gilt-bronze cannelee case has well executed floral and geometric engraving on both smooth and matted grounds, a beveled oval glass above to view the balance platform, a hinged handle and porcelain panels to the sides and front. The well-drawn classically inspired polychrome porcelain panels depict couples in the various pursuits of love and are framed with blue borders adorned with gilt floral decoration.

The front panel has the two lovers below and incorporates the dial with well-lettered black Roman numerals for the hours set within a black minute chapter that has a musical trophy at the center and steel-cut spade hands.

The eight-day time, strike and hour repeat movement retains its original balance platform with a bi-metallic screwed balance wheel, is wound and set out the back, stamped with the maker's mark, numbered around the lower left movement post, '12152' and strikes on a gong.

It has become increasingly difficult to find fine decorative carriage clocks. We are lucky to have been able to assemble a collection that includes examples ranging from the purely decorative to the more technical. This example is particularly remarkable due to the high-quality workmanship and artistry employed throughout.

Ref: For a more detailed discussion on Drocourt see 'Carriage Clocks' by Charles Allix, pg. 438.

Drocourt's stamp was a 'D' and 'C' flanking a carriage clock set within an oval.

Height - 5.375in (w/out handle)

Retail Price: $12,500.

A very rare late Victorian gilt-bronze and champlevé enamel animated bird clock. The gilt-bronze portico-style case has reeded columns with Corinthian capitals, a stepped base that stands on toupie feet and a drum top that is supported by a molded edge and surmounted by five large decorative finials. It is accented by decorative champlevé bands on both the columns and base. In the center is an animated Parrot upon a decorative perch.

The gilt-bronze conical shaped dial has well-lettered black Arabic numbers set within sunken discs for the hours, a champlevé center, a cast bezel and steel cut spade hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement is wound and set out the dial, has a balance wheel escapement and activates the lower movement every half hour by wire. Housed in the base is the spring driven animation movement governed by a large fly-wheel powered by endless screw. It is wound and activated manually out the back and has a play/silent lever out the side. Each half-hour the mechanism is activated and plays a song while the Parrot rotates its head and moves its beak.

This is the first animated bird clock we have seen that uses a full size parrot rather than one of the more common species. The case, time movement, animation movement and parrot have all been completely restored.

Height - 22.5in.

Retail Price: $27,500.

A very rare French gilt-bronze late nineteenth-century giant four-gong carriage clock. The massive case is a variation of the Anglaise Riche style and has a flared and stepped base, dentil work, a fluted hinged handle, detached fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, well-cast finials, five beveled glasses including the viewing glass for the balance and four bold toupie feet.

The eight-day grand-sonnerie striking movement is wound and set out the back, has a three position strike control lever out the base, retains its original balance platform with a bi-metallic balance wheel, is inscribed on the inside of the backplate 'AB', is stamped '3060' and strikes the hours and quarters on four steel coiled gongs either on each quarter automatically or by pressing the repeat button above. The first quarter of the strike pattern is identical to the Westminster chime and probably is why these clocks are commonly referred to as Westminster carriage clocks. They all do not continue, however, the Westminster chiming sequence, but merely reverse the sequence of notes for each subsequent quarter.

The dial has a silvered mask, a gilt-bronze dial with black Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic five-minute marks, steel-cut hands and a separate 12-hour alarm dial with Arabic numbers for the hours.

This model was produced in both four and five gong examples. While five gong models use four gongs for the quarters and strike the hour on an additional fifth gong, four gong models use only the four gongs for all the striking and shift one of the gong hammers over so it is activated by another set of pins for the hour striking. The stamped number on the backplate, '3060', is located in a semi-circle around the left bottom post which is usually an indication that the clock was made by Drocourt. Since there are no other marks except the hidden inscription 'AB' this might indicate a connection between the two firms.

Ref: For a similar clock and description of the inscription see: 'Fine Carriage Clocks', Fanelli, pg. 63.

"The letters AB have been frequently in secret places on many fine clocks, including those with 4-and5-gong grande sonneries. It is possible that the letters A B are for Alfred Baveux."

For a similar clock see: 'The Carriage Clock, 200 Years of Timely Allure', Vitale and Vitale, pg. 13.

Height - 7.75(case only)

Height - 9.325 (handle-up)

Retail Price: $30,000.

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.

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.

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)