Antique Monkey Barber Animated Brass-Cased Novelty Clock
Located in Forney, TX
A most amusing late 19th / early 20th century animated novelty clock, depicting monkey barber giving a haircut with disastrous results.
Brass
Victorian Brass Novelty Clock by Elkington & Co
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Victorian brass novelty clock by Elkington & Co., in the form of a double steering-wheel, one wheel enclosing a clock and the other a barometer, with two additional Fahrenheit ther...
Brass
George Betjemann Novelty Drum Clock
By George Betjemann & Sons
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING From our Clocks collection, we are pleased to offer this George Betjemann Novelty Drum Clock, dated 1873.
Silver Plate, Brass
$543Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian Novelty Gilded brass Mantel Clock
By The Perivale British Clock Company
Located in Dereham, GB
Victorian Novelty Gilded brass Mantel Clock Circular Dial Clock, Bevelled Glass, 6cm Diameter Cream & Gilded face, Centre with Winged cherub on chariot being pulled by two dragon...
Brass
Late 19th Century French Novelty ‘Quarterdeck’ Mantel Clock by Guilmet, Paris
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late 19th century French gilt-brass and steel novelty ‘quarterdeck’ mantel clock by Guilmet, Paris, the eight-day gong striking movement with anchor escapement, circular gilt Roman...
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
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
Antique Louis XVI Marble Gold Ormolu Gilt Bronze Cercle Tournant Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
It features an intriguing mechanism known as a cercle tournant, or rotating dial clock. In contrast to traditional timepieces, the hour and minute dials revolve completely while the ...
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Novelty 'life buoy' antique sterling silver pocket watch & stand made in 1910
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1910 by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., this charming, novelty, Antique Sterling Silver Pocket Watch Stand, is modelled as a life buoy. The pocket watch stand...
Sterling Silver
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
Automaton Beam Engine Clock by Andre Guilmet
By Andre Romain Guilmet
Located in Amersham, GB
A novelty mantel clock in the form of an industrial beam engine by Andre Romain Guilmet, dating from circa 1878 and numbered 196 and signed by Giulmet.
Marble, Brass, Bronze
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
Ansonia Pair of Silver 5-Light Candelabra from Aesthetic Movement 19th Century
By Ansonia Clock Company
Located in New York, NY
As President, he is thought to have been largely responsible for the figurine clocks, swing clocks and other unusual and desirable novelties for which the Ansonia firm became known.
Silver, Silver Plate
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
Bradley & Hubbard John Bull Blinking Eye Novelty Clock
Located in Worcester, Worcestershire
Movement is not working, has not been examined Bradley & Hubbard John Bull Blinking Eye Novelty Clock.
Iron
19th Century French Steam Clock
Located in Bransby, GB
French 19th century novelty clock and barometer in the form of a Watt types steam governor.
Brass
Animated Rabbit Clock, circa 1860, Signed
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very rare unusual and collectable rabbit animated novelty clock, circa 1860, probably Vienna. The clock is cold painted in very realistic colors, the ears moving with a pendulum rhyt...
Iron
Unavailable
H 24.41 in W 23.63 in D 11.82 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Industrial Novelty Compendium Clock
By Bennett of London
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Bennett, 65 & 64 Cheapside, London. The extremely substantial case measuring 62cms (24.5ins) high by 60cms (24ins) wide, surmounted by an Admiralty Pattern anchor with applied ivory...
Bronze, Ormolu
Unavailable
H 11.5 in W 5.25 in D 3.75 in
20th Century German Ferris Wheel Novelty Automaton Brass Carriage Clock
Located in London, Nottinghill
Weight: 1.75 lbs. A German novelty antique ferris wheel brass clock which is a collectable item.
Brass
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
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
Brass Ship’s Novelty Clock Presented to Captain Tynte F Hammill RN
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A brass ship’s novelty clock presented to Captain Tynte F Hammill RN., in the form of a ship’s wheel set against an anchor and crossed cannon, all raised on cannon ball feet, on a wo...
Brass
Automaton Wizard Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A very similar clock is featured on the back cover of Mystery Novelty Clocks by Derek Roberts, circa 1860 Measures: Clock 26 1/2" high x 13 1/2" wide x 8 5/8" deep Base 36 1/2...
Silver
Rare Eugéne Farcot Maiden on a Swing Boudoir Antique French Clock
By EUGÈNE FARCOT OF PARIS Also known as HENRY EUGÈNE ADRIEN FARCOT (1830-1896)
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Please note that these are novelty clocks and therefore don't keep exceptionally good time.
Alabaster, Metal
English Novelty Padlock Clock
Located in Newark, England
English novelty desk clock timepiece in the form of a padlock.
Metal, Silver, Brass
Sold
H 24.75 in W 6.5 in D 3.5 in
Antique Hickory Dickory Dock Mouse Novelty Wall Clock, the Mouse Reads Time
Located in Atlanta, GA
Hickory Dickory Dock Mouse Novelty Wall Clock - The Mouse Reads Time While the clock is running, the little mouse is climbing up to the top of the case.
Brass
Unusual Antique Victorian Quality Bronze Novelty Desk Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Unusual Antique Victorian quality bronze novelty desk clock having a quality bronze model of a kangaroo holding a swinging clock with a circular porcelain dial and an ornate brass pe...
Bronze
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
French Industrial Battleship Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important clock is pictured on page 256 of Mystery, Novelty, Fantasy Clocks by D.
Bronze
Mystery Clock by Robert Houdin
By Robert Houdin
Located in New Orleans, LA
A brass-toothed wheel fixed to the edge of this and concealed by the bezel is driven by bezel gears running up through one of the supports. Houdin's clocks are featured and discu...
Bronze
French Spherical Weight Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
All of these traits combined make this mantel (fireplace) clock a functional work of art. This clock is pictured on page 74 of mystery, novelty and fantasy clocks by Derek Roberts...
Brass
French Annular Clock by Leroy & Cie
By LeRoy
Located in New Orleans, LA
References: Les Belles le Plus Pendules Françaises Dans le Monde, 1994, Tardy On Identifying and Appraising Clocks, 1991, Martha Tips Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks, 1999, Derek...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Bradley & Hubbard ‘John Bull’ Blinking Eye Clock – Pat. 1857
Located in Worcester, GB
Bradley & Hubbard ‘John Bull’ Blinking Eye Clock – Pat. 1857 A late 19th century American cast iron novelty mantel clock by Bradley & Hubbard of Meriden, Connecticut.
Iron
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
French Automaton Industrial Locomotive Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A similar clock is pictured on page 269 of Mystery, Novelty, Fantasy Clocks by D.
Bronze
French Automaton Battleship Industrial Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A similar clock is pictured on page 256 of Mystery, Novelty, Fantasy Clocks by D.
Bronze
‘Mortar’ Timepiece by Thomas Cole
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A novelty desk clock in the form of a gilt brass mortar which can be raised and lowered in its coromandel carriage, all on a stepped and shaped base.
Brass
Novelty Nautical Clock and Barometer Set by Westbury Clock Co., USA
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Nautical desk clock and barometer set by Westbury Clock Co., USA in the form of double ship's helm in bronzed case with an eight day movement striking the ship's watch bells.
Bronze
Sold
H 22.5 in W 7.25 in D 4 in
Novelty Antique English Letters / Postal / Mail Box, Longcase Clock Form, c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
A rare, if not unique, antique English Letter box in the form of a longcase clock. Made from Mahogany, it is beautifully inlaid to the front; above the door at the front is the w...
Wood
Sold
H 4 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in
Silver Clock Inkwell with Pen by Goldsmith & Silversmith Co, London, 1905
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in London, GB
A fine quality novelty silver clock inkwell with pen and rest on front leading edge.
Silver
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.