Sotheby's Decorative Objects

Clock and aneroid barometer in walnut made circa 1960. The aneroid barometer (or holosteric barometer) was developed by the Frenchman Lucien Vidie who filed a patent for it in 1844 ...

From a decommissioned Japanese ship, black Seiko analog clocks with brushed nickel faces. Battery mechanism updated and an easy opening on the back side. ...

Seiko super tanker slave clock original aqua marine green finish A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock. These clocks were used in great numbers on super tankers, cargo ...

Seiko super tanker slave clock original re-finished in Millenial Pink. A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock. These clocks were used in great numbers on super tankers, ...

Quartz sweep seconds / non ticking wall clock finished in Yellow Pantone 13-0647 Illuminating. Rescued from Industrial scrap yards and brought back t...

Seiko super tanker slave clock original aqua blue finish A reclaimed and restored maritime slave clock. These clocks were used in great numbers on super tankers, cargo ships an...

A brass circular base with a central inset hinged glass panel that reveals a white metal face with black enameled Roman numerals hours and Arabic numerals seconds. The clock lacks a ...

This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...

Early 20th century Smiths Astral [Great Britain] shipboard brass clock, circa 1930. A brass case with inset beveled glass panel that reveals a silvertone...

This is the superb and rare catalogue which was produced by Sotheby's for the sale of the collection of husband and wife Claude & Francois-Xavier Lalanne. 568 pages with 274 lots for...

One of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...

Rare neoclassical style French giltwood clock and barometer set French, 19th century Measures: Height 90cm, width 38cm, depth 12cm This du...