A French Transition musical bracket clock on wall bracket, circa 1770

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...

Fine Canton Workshop Chinese Automaton Acrobatic Figure Musical Pagoda Bracket Clock Here for your consideration is a large Chinese Canton bracket clock. The gorgeous hardwood case is decorated with beautiful brass casting applications. There is a large Chinese pagoda on the top to make the appearance of this clock even more impressive. The Roman numeral dial is made of porcelain without any cracks or hairlines. Engraved brass floral decorations surrounds the center dial. The time and the automaton feature can be seen through a large beveled glass panel. This clock strikes every 15 minutes, Petite Sonnerie striking. The mechanism is 8 day movement, driven by double fusee chain. It's built with heavy brass and with engraving on the back plate. The automaton features plays hourly followed by the hour striking. The complicated automaton plays as following, the right curtain rolls up first to follow the pair...

Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock An important, exhibition quality ormolu bronze bracket clock of massive proportions, the case decorated in Champlevé enamels and a variety of cast decorative elements that include a large urn and four full columns topped by acanthus buds, ladies faces on all four columns, egg and dart trim, four large detailed paw feet. The arched door with beveled glass opens to the clock face topped by an iridescent bird automaton within a painted diorama framed...

William IV bracket clock Fine mahogany drum head bracket clock standing on a raised moulded plinth and resting on pad feet. Inset central fl...