A very rare miniature gilt-bronze Austrian carriage clock signed J. Nicolaus. The gilt-bronze case has a molded top and bottom with rounded corners and uprights, a geometric hinged handle with canted edges and center and beveled glasses to four sides.

The circular well-lettered white porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours, is signed by the maker, 'J. Nicolaus', has two finely cut steel hands and is framed by a silvered mask.

The eight-day time-only movement has silvered plates, a horizontally positioned balance platform above with a lever escapement and screwed bi-metallic balance wheel, is wound and set out the back and is signed and numbered by the maker, 'J.Nicolaus, Wien, No.17'.

The clock still retains its original case and key.

Ref: This is one of the smallest carriage clocks we’ve ever had the privilege to offer.

Height – 2 1/16in.(case only)

Retail Price: On Request.

A very rare early 20th century minute-repeating desk clock by Cartier. The gilt-silver rectangular case is attractively decorated in green and black alternating enamel stripes on four sides, has an engraved backplate and numerous stamps on the base that include 'European Watch and Clock Co.', 'Sterling', '1160', '12527' and 'Swiss'.

The round, silvered dial has raised gold Arabic numbers for the hours and dots for the minutes, gold hands, a decorative glazed gilt-silver bezel and a sunken center signed 'Cartier'.

The round minute-repeating eight-day movement has a push repeat button on the side, the wind out the bottom and is adjusted for fast/slow by a shuttered aperture through the back.

Height - 2.75in.

Retail Price: On Request.

A very nice early 20th century miniature Swiss desk clock retailed by Asprey. The gilt-silver case has pink guioché enamel panels, with the engraved designs radiating from a central point, that are bordered by decorative gold bands and white enamel. The plain gilt-silver back has numerous marks that include the import and date marks for England in 1924, ‘JTC’, ‘935’, ‘10258’ and ‘Geneva Clock Co’. It sits upon a molded quartz base with a gilt-silver beaded band.

The oval gilt dial has an engraved center, a decorative silver bezel, diamond-mounted hands, Arabic numbers for the hours and is signed by the retailer, Asprey.

The extremely high quality jeweled eight-day movement is wound, set and adjusted through the shuttered back.

The firm Asprey always offered the highest quality pieces. They rivaled such firms as Cartier and Tiffany and are noteworthy for the consistently superb quality of their pieces.

Height - 2.5in.

Retail Price: On Request.

A very attractive early 20th century Austrian silver and enamel timepiece. The silver case has a flamingo in the center with enameled wings standing on a rockwork ground. Above and below are classically inspired detailed polychrome enamel reserves set on gilt decorated black ground and highlighted by cast-enameled appliqués.

The champlevé dial is decorated in opaque and translucent polychrome enamel and depicts a hunting dog pointing to a bird taking flight. The decorative center has black Roman numerals on gilt grounds and decorative gilt-bronze hands while the whole is protected by a decorative glazed silver hinged bezel.

The one-day French fusee watch has a decorative back-cock, a regulator with a silvered scale and is signed by the maker, 'Lèpine á Paris'.

Decorative enameled desk pieces were specialties of the Austrian workshops at the turn of the century. They used high quality movements of proceeding generations and did detailed polychrome decorative work on all the surfaces including the underside of the base and the interior.

Height - 7.25in.

Retail Price: On Request.

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: On Request.

A very nice miniature enameled silver timepiece. The shaped silver case has lavender guioché enamel on four sides, a striped, hinged back door and has several stamps on the bottom that include 'Argent .925 Sterling Silver' and '15988'.

The finely lettered white porcelain dial has black Arabic numbers for the hours, gold dots for the minutes, steel-cut hands, a plain glazed silver bezel and is signed by the maker, 'Zenith'.

The eight-day time and strike movement is accessed by the hinged back door, has a balance wheel escapement and is wound, set and adjusted off the backplate.

Includes the original key and leather covered case.

Height - 1.75in.

Retail Price: $3,750.

A very rare Austrian Louis XVI gesso, gilt and patinated bronze and gilt-wood figural tallcase clock by JM Schmit in Wien. The massive two tone gesso case has a square base with canted corners to the front that supports a clock on a stepped plinth flanked by a nearly full size figure of Urania above. The whole is adorned with numerous gilt-wood moldings and decorative elements that include military trophies on the doors, stylized butterflies to the sides, a pointer, star and large pharaoh and snake appliqués to the chamfered corners. The well-carved figure of Urania, dressed in flowing drapery, casually leans against the plinth and embraces the large blue sphere elaborately decorated with ormolu stars.

The silver engraved chapter ring dial has large Arabic numbers for the hours, Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks, is signed by the maker, ‘JM Schmit, Wien’ and has two very nicely cast ormolu hands.

The high quality eight-day quarter-striking movement is accessed through a hinged door in the back of the sphere, has two brass-bound un-compounded weights, a high quality dead-beat escapement, a pendulum suspended by spring, the screwed beat adjustment on the crutch and strikes on two large nested bells.

Ref:
In Greek mythology Urania was the muse of astronomy and astrology. She is usually depicted with a globe in one hand and a peg in her other.

During this time period Napoleon’s campaign had been to Egypt and the treasures with which he returned were both well received and enormously influential on the European decorative arts.

Height - 94in.

Retail Price: On Request.

A fine early twentieth century enamel minute-repeating Cartier travel clock. The silver rectangular case, numbered '2022', has white enamel borders to gray radiating guioché panels on five sides, a quartz cabochon strike actuator, apertures to the back accessed by a silver shutter and a rose quartz base with a gold beaded molding.

The well-lettered white porcelain dial has a white enamel bezel with decorative silver dots, black Arabic numbers for the hours and the fifteen-minute marks, a gilt minute chapter ring, is signed by the maker, 'Cartier, Paris London' and has fine diamond set hands.

The eight-day time and repeat movement is signed and numbered by the maker, 'Nocturne, 30225, Brevet, 1912', has a balance wheel escapement, repeats the last hour, quarter and minute when the cabochon plunger is depressed and is wound, set and regulated out the back.

Ref:
The following is written in extremely small cursive lettering on the inside of the dial plate:
Aug.44
Our rations per week
3/4 lb. something like meat.
2 oz. tea or coffee
2 oz. cheese or .......

no stock for 5 years
not a watch or clock
not a wedding ring

aug 1949
not much better

Height - 3.25in.

SOLD

A rare early 20th century elaborately detailed silvered, patinated and gilt-bronze mantle clock by the prestigious firm of E.F. Caldwell & Co., New York. The case has a curvilinear silvered frame in the center mounted with gilt-bronze leafy scrollwork and two well-cast Satyr masks centered front and back. Below is the rectangular base with several decorative gilt-bronze moldings. At the back of the large circular top is the two-tone cast drum shaped cover with the decorative elements highlighted in gold.

The dial has a gilt-bronze decorative fretwork that embellishes the center, typical Caldwell type engraved hands and Roman numerals with engraved fretted designs for the half-hour marks cast into the dialplate and echoed on the back.

The 30-day time only double-wind Seth Thomas movement has a balance wheel escapement and is wound and adjusted for fast slow out the front.

Ref: Edward F. Caldwell and Victor F. von Lossberg established the firm of E.F. Caldwell & Co. in 1901 in lower New York City. They produced a large array of high-end decorative items including lamps and clocks for the most prominent design and architecture firms in the country.
For further information on the company see 'Edward F. Caldwell & Company', Magazine Antiques, Feb. 1998.
All the Caldwell clocks we have seen have used Chelsea, Seth Thomas, Howard or Omega movements with Chelsea and Omega being the most abundant and Seth Thomas and Howard being considerably rarer.

Height - 16.5in.

Retail Price: On Request

A very nice late nineteenth century singing bird box. The high-quality gilt-bronze case with rounded corners is elaborately decorated with wonderful floral engraving on a chased ground, has an engraved lid that depicts two birds amongst scrolling foliage and has a hinged back door that hides a compartment to store the key.

When activated the lid pops up and a colorful bird appears, rotates side-to-side, flaps his wings, tail and beak and sings a song. When finished it disappears below the detailed fretwork panel as the lid slams closed.

It is in wonderful condition and is guaranteed to operate properly.

Retail Price: $ 7,200.

A very nice late nineteenth century singing bird box. The high-quality gilt-bronze case with rounded corners is elaborately decorated with wonderful floral engraving on a chased ground, has a silvered engraved lid that depicts two birds amongst scrolling foliage and has a hinged back door that hides a compartment to store the key.

When activated the lid pops up and a colorful bird appears, rotates side-to-side, flaps his wings, tail and beak and sings a song. When finished it disappears below the detailed fretwork panel as the lid slams closed.

It is in wonderful condition and is guaranteed to operate properly.

Retail Price: $ 7,200.

A very nice 'Mahogany and Metal Base' ship's striking clock that was retailed by Bliss and made by Chelsea. The bronze case has a glazed hinged front door, a small enameled replica of the Memphis Yacht Club's flag and the engraved inscription, 'A Token of Friendship From the Boys of the Club, June 11, 1910' along the lower front edge and is screwed to a mahogany stand that still retains the original label on the bottom that reads 'Base or Support For Clock Patent April 18,1905.'

The silvered, engraved dial has Roman numerals for the hours, typical steel-cut hands and the fast slow lever above the retailer's inscription, 'John Bliss & Co., New York'. Interestingly the dial is not brass like the later examples, but a lead core veneered with a thin layer of copper in keeping with the methods and materials of the earlier clocks.

The eight-day time and ship's striking movement has a balance wheel escapement and is stamped with both the appropriate patent dates and the serial number, '59,328'.

Ref: According to the Chelsea records the serial number, '59328' dates the movement to 1910.

John Bliss was joined by his son in 1855 and established the firm 'John Bliss & Son' in New York. He died in 1857 and the name of the company was changed to 'John Bliss & Co' which endured for over a century.

Dial Size - 8.5in.

Retail Price: On Request

A very nice early twentieth century desk clock by E.F. Caldwell. The cast drum top has well-detailed leaves and berries set against a blue enameled ground around the edge and an engraved fretwork hinged door also set against a blue background at the back. It is supported between the wings of a gilt-bronze cupid who is seated on a variegated black marble base.

The engraved ivory dial has Roman numerals for the hours, a decorative floral pattern in the center and engraved patinated hands typical of Caldwell's timepieces.

The eight-day movement is signed by Omega and is wound and adjusted out the back. It is protected by a gilt-bronze dust cover that is engraved, "E.F. Caldwell & Co. Inc, New York" and has apertures for the winding, hand set and fast/slow.

Edward F. Caldwell and Victor F. von Lossberg established the E.F. Caldwell Company in 1901 in lower Manhattan. They produced a large array of high-end decorative items including clocks and lamps for some of the wealthiest and most important people of the time.

Height - 5in.

Retail Price: $ 5,850.

An early 20th century weight-driven Lever escapement model. This high quality piece has light damascening on most of the stationary plates, a brass screwed balance wheel, a thick coiled steel balance spring, a clubtooth escapewheel and adjustable steel pallets. The brass balance roller carries the adjustable polished steel pin while mounted to the fork is the adjustable steel safety pin. All the pivots above the escape-wheel ride in inset steel ball bearing sleeves. The piece is powered by a weight that is stowed in a felt-lined compartment for travel. To activate, the weight is hung on the line that is spooled around a spring loaded barrel. As the model runs, the weight drops about 3/32in. per oscillation. When it needs to rewind the weight is lifted and the line is automatically rewound around the barrel. It is displayed in a mahogany case with a removable hinged glazed front.

Most likely the piece was made and used as a teaching instrument at one of the more prominent watch schools such as the Bowman school in Pennsylvania.

Overall Height - 26in.
Diameter of Balance - 6in.
Diameter of Escapewheel - 6.75in.

SOLD

A very rare early twentieth century enamel, ivory and agate mystery clock by the Swiss firm Gubelin. Centered within the horizontally mounted dial an ivory figure in Renaissance dress stands upon an engine-turned enameled pedestal that is mounted to a mirror with an ivory swan at the edge. The whole is supported by a twelve-sided grey agate case that stands on a silver base with paw feet. The underside is signed, 'Gubelin, Lucerne, Swiss, 58673, .935'.

The cream colored and blue shaded dial has decorative blue Roman numerals for the hours, blue Arabic numbers for the minutes and is bordered by a decorative silver bezel.

The eight-day time only movement has a club tooth escapement, compensating balance, 15 jewels and is wound and set out the base through apertures in a shutter back. As it runs, the figure above points to the minutes with his silver halberd while the swan indicates the hours.

This piece is a fine example of the talents of some of the Swiss firms such as Cartier, Gubelin and Hof who consistently created unique and imaginative timepieces that required the most skilled artisans because they were often executed in difficult and expensive materials.

The original case is included.

Ref: Time Museum Inventory No. 4104.

Gubelin was founded in Lucerne, Switzerland on Oct. 4, 1854.

Height - 7.5in.

Retail Price: On Request

A good quality Edo period Japanese Shitan wood miniature pillar timepiece with original carrying case. The clock case is constructed from nicely grained and colored Shitan wood and retains both the drawer used to hold the original winding key and the original glazed removable hood with slide out front door.

The one-day, weight-driven brass movement is screwed to the backboard, has an engraved skeletonized front plate, a verge escapement regulated by a shaped brass balance wheel and has finely turned decorative corner and movement posts, wheelwork and arbors.

The scale, secured by hook at the bottom and screw at the top, has thirteen adjustable silvered engraved temporal 'hours'. The lead weight carries the shaped brass hand that points to the time as it descends through the day.

The vast majority of pillar clocks are over sixteen inches long. It is exceedingly rare to find such a wonderfully preserved example in a diminutive size with the original carrying case.

The characters on the case seem to make reference to the fact it contains an instrument that indicates the Royal time.

Height of Clock - 12.5in.

Retail Price: $ 6,800.

A rare Edo period Japanese lacquered Mulberry wood pillar clock. The case, decorated with gold makie lacquer depicting scrolling foliage and 'mitsu' tomoe, is fitted with a drawer at the bottom for the original key and retains the original lift-off hood with removable front door.

The one-day, weight-driven brass movement is screwed to the backboard, has an engraved skeletonized front plate, a verge escapement regulated by a slender brass balance wheel and finely turned decorative corner and movement posts, wheelwork and arbors.

The black-lacquered two-sided scale is secured to the clock by two silvered brackets and has the temporal hours in gold lacquer. The lead weight carries the shaped brass hand that points to the time as it descends through the day.

Most likely the clock was originally furnished with seven two-sided scales. This would allow the owner to change the scales and thus regulate the clock as necessitated by the Japanese system of timekeeping. It is extraordinarily rare to find a pillar clock with the full compliment of scales unless it was originally fitted with storage compartments. Once the temporal hours were eliminated and Western time became the norm the extra scales became unnecessary and often were lost by subsequent generations.

The 'mitsu' tomoe reflects the threefold division of Shinto cosmology, and is said to represent the earth, the heavens, and humankind. It is also often associated with the Shinto war deity Hachiman and is sometimes referred to as the whirlpool. A tomoe-mon is a tomoe used as a kamon, or family crest, a device similar to a coat of arms. During the Edo period the use of crests exploded as the emperor's dictates required the Daimyo to maintain homes in both their home provinces and Edo and also to have their mon on all the things they carried in the processions between the two as to receive the proper respect during the trip. Many famous generals and daimyo used the 'mitsu' tomoe kamon including Utsunomiya, Yamamoto and Ujiie.

Height - 16.25in.

Retail Price: $ 6,800.

A very rare, small mahogany quarter-striking bracket clock signed 'Tiffany & Co., Makers, 312'. The well made mahogany case has a domed top and numerous silvered-bronze mounts that include diamond frets to the sides, stylized Corinthian capitals and bases for the fluted columns, a cast broken arch bezel with a beveled glass, stylized floral feet and a handle on top.

The extraordinary dial has concentric grooves in the center, a silvered and engraved hours chapter with stylized Arabic numbers for the hours and dots for the minutes, silver-gilt floral spandrels, elaborate steel cut hands for the minutes and hours and a straight steel hand for the strike/silent located in the arch. Interestingly, instead of the strike/silent being a separate chapter it is incorporated within the elements of the dial with both 'strike' and 'silent' actually engraved into the gilt dial plate. Most notably it is engraved on the hours chapter 'Tiffany & Co, Makers'.

The high quality twin-barrel eight-day movement has a Brocot escapement, is quarter striking on five gongs and is stamped on the backplate, 'Tiffany & Co, Makers, 312, Patented Nov. 7, 1882'. Both the key and pendulum are also numbered '312'. Their patented striking system allowed the clocks to strike quarters using the power of two springs instead of the three commonly needed.

Most of the clocks that are signed Tiffany were retailed by the firm and there was no direct involvement in the manufacturing process. Clocks signed 'Tiffany & Co, Makers', however, usually incorporated their special striking system and were made by craftsmen specifically contracted to and directed by the firm.

This clock is particularly rare because it is considerably smaller than the other bracket clocks, the condition is superb and it is a great design.

Height - 19.5 in. (handle-up)

A great small early 19th century animated picture frame clock. The finely painted oil on metal painting is in pristine condition and shows the villagers in varying pursuits of work and play on the banks of the river near the edge of the village. The waterwheel for the mill is animated and turns as the clock runs.

The one-day movement strikes on a gong and shows the time on the porcelain dial that is housed in the old church steeple. It runs the waterwheel by string and pulley from a pulley located on the same arbor as the contrate wheel.

The whole is in a wonderfully detailed gilt frame.

Overall size: 19.5in x 15.5in.