Antique Gilt Brass and Frosted Glass Mystery Clock by Robert-Houdin
By Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin
Located in London, GB
The mystery of the clock lies in how the piece works without any clearly visible mechanism leading to the clock dial.
Brass
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
By Breguet a Paris
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
Ormolu
Small 19th Century Mystery Clock Signed By Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Charmes, FR
mysterious little clock from the 19th century in patinated and gilded bronze on a marble base manufactured by Ferdinand Gervais in Paris in good condition, it works but has not been ...
Bronze
Exceptional French Three Graces Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Candelabra Suite
By Henry Dasson
Located in Roslyn, NY
Exceptional 19th century, French 'Three Graces' annular dial clock, bronze and marble clock, with Roi-de-bleu enamel globe surmounted by Cupid. The globe raised by three patinated ma...
Marble, Bronze
Robert Houdin Mystery Magic Clock
By Robert Houdin
Located in Danville, CA
A rare mystery clock, attributed to famous French magician and mechanic, Jean Robert-Houdin.
Brass
Late 19th Century French Novelty ‘Quarterdeck’ Mantel Clock by Guilmet, Paris
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Footnote: The Parisian maker Andre Romain Guilmet is best known for his ‘mystery’ clocks, which hide the movement, and ‘industrial’ clocks in which the technique is used in timepiece...
Brass
Large Gilt-Brass Automaton Clock with Barometer, Paris, Circa 1880
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
Literature: For a detailed account of Guilmet and his industrial clocks see: Robers, Derek, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, Schiffer Publishing (Atglen), 1999; pp. 241-284.
Brass, Enamel
Mystery Water Wheel Rolling Ball Gravity Driven Bronze Regulator Clock
Located in Danville, CA
Here we are offering a fantastic mystery Ferris wheel bearing ball driven crystal regulator clock.
Brass
Antique French Mystery Gravity Driven Rolling Ball Waterwheel Industrial Clock
Located in Danville, CA
For reference, please see Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks by Derek Roberts, page 72
Onyx, Bronze
A Napoleon III Gilt and Silvered Bronze, Onyx and Enamel Figural Clock Set
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A pioneering engineer in many fields, Farcot was the most renowned nineteenth century maker of conical pendulum and 'ingenious mystery' clocks, taking out successive patents througho...
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
A Rare Thomas Weeks Twin Fusee Striking Balloon Clock of Exceptional Provenance
By Thomas Weeks
Located in Amersham, GB
Derek Roberts (Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks, Atglen, 1999, p.169) notes that when James Cox disposed of his museum by lottery in 1775 a number of pieces, including an automato...
Brass, Steel, Enamel
Automaton Beam Engine Clock by Andre Guilmet
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in Amersham, GB
This model is one of the earliest made numbered 196 and signed by Guilmet. Pleasingly, this clock has an earlier serial number than those found by Derek Roberts in his research publi...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Charles Oudin Silver Chatelain Cartouche Bezel Pendant Watch
Located in Long Beach, CA
Louis Cartier developed their interpretation of it as the mystery clock.
A 19th Century Novelty Desk Compendium in the form of a Davy Lamp By Guilmet
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in Amersham, GB
(Derek Roberts). p258, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, Derek Roberts 1999.
Brass, Steel
Blaise Bontems Musical Automaton Singing birds and Clock under glass dome
Located in Leuven , BE
Praised by exhibition jurors as "toys for adults rather than children," Bontems' automatons commanded prices of £12, or £18 for rarer specimens featuring a clock (refer to D. Roberts...
Metal
French, 19th Century, Robert Houdin Mystery Clock
By Robert Houdin
Located in London, Nottinghill
(Robert Houdin 1805-1870) A very rare tall Houdin mystery clock from around the mid-19th century (circa 1850).
Bronze
Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mystery Clock, France, 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare French, gold bronze swinging arm clock mounted on an onyx column with gold bronze acorn finial, capitol and scrolled footed base, sitting on an onyx platform. Elaborate gold bro...
Onyx
Antique Conical or Mystery Clock, France, 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
A gold bronze statue of a Grecian Woman, supported by a royal rouge marble clock. Gold bronze accents woman's dress, feet, arms and neck, dress is in natural patina bronze. Suspended...
Marble, Bronze
French swinger (mystery) clock by Auguste Moreau
By Auguste Moreau
Located in HAARLEM, NL
A very spectacular and monumental bronzed white metal big striking so-called 8-day swinger on griotte marble circular base. These imposing clocks were very much in demand during th...
Metal, Bronze
Unavailable
H 18.51 in Dm 6.7 in
An Extremely Rare 'Pendule Industrial' in the Shape of a Wind Mill with Automaton, Barometer and 2 Thermometers circa 1880
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
An almost identical 'Pendule Industrial' is part of the permanent collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing and is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue p. 275 and in: Derek Rober...
Bronze
Extremely rare French 'pendule industrial'
Located in HAARLEM, NL
An almost identical 'Pendule Industrial' is part of the permanent collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing and is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue p. 275 and in: Derek Rober...
Marble, Brass
Cartier Diamond Pearl and Onyx Watch, Art Deco, Paris, c. 1920
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier has created some of the most important jewelry and objects of art of the twentieth century with many iconic designs such as mystery clocks, Tutti Frutti jewelry and the Panth...
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Clock with Singing Bird Automaton by Bontems
By Bontems
Located in Zonhoven, BE
Bailly "Flights of Fancy" p328 or Roberts "Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks" p215
Metal, Gold Plate, Enamel, Other
A. R. Guilmet Mystery Clock
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Mystery clocks are among the most fascinating timekeeping mechanisms ever created.
Slate, Bronze
Mystery Clock by Robert Houdin
By Robert Houdin
Located in New Orleans, LA
An unquestionable horological rarity, this regal gilt bronze mystery clock is the work of Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805-1871), inventor, scientist, mechanical and horological geniu...
Bronze
Large 19th Century Bronzed Spelter Mystery Clock
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French bronzed Spelter mystery clock, depicting a classically draped women carrying an urn with flowers and fruit.
Spelter
French Conical Pendulum Mystery Clock
By Achille Brocot
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautiful example of French horology at its finest, this conical pendulum mystery clock was crafted by renowned French clockmaker and mathematician Achille Brocot.
Alabaster, Metal, Bronze
19th Century Mystery Clock by Houdin
By Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin
Located in London, GB
This is an exceptional and rare clock by the famous French magician and inventor of the 'mystery clock' mechanism, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin (French, 1805-1871).
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Ansonia Neoclassical Figural Swinging Ball Mystery Clock C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Dating to 1890, this piece is a swinging ball mystery clock, showcasing intricate craftsmanship.
Metal
Sold
H 36 in W 21 in D 5 in
Large Early 19 Century French Bronze Mystery Clock Retailed by M.I. Tobias
Located in New York, NY
Very fine quality and large Early 19 century French gilt bronze mystery clock retailed by M.I. Tobias c.1820s.
Bronze
Farcot or Carrier-Belleuse Conical Mystery Clock
By EUGÈNE FARCOT OF PARIS Also known as HENRY EUGÈNE ADRIEN FARCOT (1830-1896), Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in New Orleans, LA
Workings such as these led to the phrase mystery clocks. Farcot made only a few small clocks using the conical device but none that even compare to the size of the Carrier-Belleuse c...
Griotte Marble
19th Century French Black Marble and Bronze Mystery Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in New Orleans, LA
A similar example of this clock is illustrated by Derek Roberts in Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks (Atglen 1999), page 251 fig. 21-9.
Marble, Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 41.5 in W 16 in D 12 in
Large Swinging Mystery Clock La Victoire by Émile Bruchon French, circa 1890
By Emile Bruchon
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Standing at 3 1/2 ft in height this is the rare large version of the French swinging mystery clock. The figure is La Victoire by Émile Bruchon, beautifully and boldly modelled in bro...
Spelter
Sold
H 30 in W 12 in D 12 in
Exceptional French Three-Piece Rotary Mystery Clock Set Maiden Candelabra Suite
By Henry Dasson
Located in Roslyn, NY
Exceptional 19th century, French 'Three Graces' annular dial clock, bronze and marble clock, with Roi-de-bleu enamel globe surmounted by Cupid. The globe raised by three patinated ma...
Marble, Bronze
Gübelin Turtle Mystery Water Clock
By Gubelin
Located in New Orleans, LA
One of the rarest and most sought-after of the great mystery clocks, the Gübelin turtle mystery water clock is a true wonder of horology.
Sold
H 2.17 in W 2.17 in D 7.49 in
19th Century Mantle Clock with Pedestal Column Base Mystery Style Face Bronze
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare 19th-century small mantle clock of an ornate French pillar or column with original paint and bronze mounts A very lovely ornate c...
Bronze
German Horizontal Table Clock
By F.S. Rosenlehner
Located in New Orleans, LA
An incredibly rare 19th century horizontal table mystery clock with single hand by German clockmaker F.S.
Glass
French Bras En L'air Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Also classified as a mystery clock, the figure's hands appear to be free of any connection to the movement.
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 22 in W 10.5 in D 4.75 in
Rosewood Marquetry and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum, Henri Marc 1850
By Henri Marc, Paris 1
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Rosewood and Ormolu Lyre clock with mystery pendulum French, circa 1850 Excellent condition, fully overhauled.
Ormolu
Sold
H 18.75 in W 8.5 in D 7.5 in
Fine Antique Cobalt Blue Porcelain and Ormolu Lyre Clock with Mystery Pendulum
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A paste jewel set bezel surrounding the clock forms the mystery pendulum, as the clock ticks the jeweled bezel moves from side to side catching the light - see the video below.
Ormolu
Swiss Made Gübelin Lucerne Mystery Floating Turtle Water Clock, Rare
By Gubelin
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Gubelin Swiss made floating turtle mystery table clock made circa 1900 fitted with a very high quality movement designed to run eight days on a wind.
Marble, Silver
The Congreve Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Signed “French Royal Exchange London” across the frieze Circa 1840 Case: 17 5/8" wide x 17 1/2" deep x 24 5/8" high Reference: Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks,1999, by ...
Congreve Clock
By French Royal Exchange London
Located in New Orleans, LA
Signed “French Royal Exchange London” across the frieze, circa 1840 Case: 17 5/8" wide x 17 1/2" deep x 24 5/8" high Reference: Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks,1999, by ...
Silver, Brass
A sophisticated clock design, whether it’s a desk clock, mantel clock or large wall clock for your living room, is a decorative object to be admired in your home as much as it is a necessary functional element. This is part of the reason clocks make such superb collectibles. Given the versatility of these treasured fixtures — they’ve long been made in a range of shapes, sizes and styles — a clock can prove integral to your own particular interior decor.
Antique and vintage clocks can whisk us back to the 18th and 19th centuries. When most people think of antique clocks, they imagine an Art Deco Bakelite tabletop clock or wall clock, named for the revolutionary synthetic plastic, Bakelite, of which they’re made, or a stately antique grandfather clock. But the art of clock-making goes way back, transcending continents and encompassing an entire range of design styles and technologies. In short, there are many kinds of clocks depending on your needs.
A variety of wall clocks can be found on 1stDibs. A large antique hand-carved walnut wall clock is best suited to a big room and a flat background given what will likely be outwardly sculptural features, while Georgian grandfather clocks, or longcase clocks, will help welcome rainswept guests into your entryway or foyer. An interactive cuckoo clock, large or small, is guaranteed to bring outsize personality to your living room or dining room. For conversation pieces of a similar breed, mid-century modern enthusiasts go for the curious Ball clock, the first of more than 150 clock models conceived in the studio of legendary architect and designer George Nelson.
Minimalist contemporary clocks and books pair nicely on a shelf, but an eye-catching vintage mantel clock can add balance to your home library while drawing attention to your art and design books and other decorative objects. Ormolu clocks dating from the Louis XVI period, designed in the neoclassical style, are often profusely ornate, featuring architectural flourishes and rich naturalistic details. Rococo-style mantel clocks of Meissen porcelain or porcelain originating from manufacturers in cities such as Limoges, France, during the 18th and 19th centuries, exude an air of imperial elegance on your shelves or side tables and can help give your desk a 19th-century upgrade.
On 1stDibs, find a range of extraordinary antique and vintage clocks today.
The French sculptor shaped dense blocks into tactile forms meant to be used and held.
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.