English Musical Diorama Clock

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...

This incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. A clock is integrated within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, and, 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 these fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back and into the 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 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...

A case of exquisite porphyry and doré bronze houses the verge movement of this rare clock by eminent English clock and watch maker John Ellicott. Ellicott's...

The famed Patek Philippe crafted this spectacular gilt bronze cartel clock. The case is exuberantly embellished in the Louis XV style with scrolling foliate work and an argyle-patterned screen punctuated with rosettes. The decorative screen conceals a panel of solar cells on the front of the timepiece. These photoelectric cells, along with a backup lithium battery, power the caliber 17-250 mechanical movement. It tells the time on a white enamel dial with both Roman and Arabic numerals and ornate brass hands. The timepiece comes complete with its original fitted Patek Philippe box. Overall, this clock displays the lasting quality and style of this legendary Swiss firm. Patek Philippe is one of the world’s premier luxury brands and is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious watchmaker. Founded in 1851 by Polish watchmaker Antoni Patek and French watchmaker Adrien Philippe...

A work of exceptional detail, this magnificent Viennese clock takes the art form of enameling to new heights. The elaborately fashioned timepiece rests atop the head of a soldier, who stands on a pedestal populated by sphinxes. Exceptional details encase the entire piece, from the rooster finial to the gem-studded base. A hand-painted portrait of the heroic soldier on the reverse completes this stunning piece. Particularly popular during the 19th century, Viennese enamels...

From the personal collection of the legendary Joe DiMaggio, this incredible vintage desk clock was presented to the Yankee Clipper by Harrah's for his par...

An English Burl Wood Musical Mantel Clock, circa 1880 in the Georgian Style - This imposing clock with break arch case profusely decorated with floral inlay, surmounted by an arched ...

A large English George III Style Musical Automaton bracket clock. The gorgeous gilt bronze case is decorated with beautiful brass casting applications. There is a large 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. Translucent enamel corners surround the center dial. The time and the automaton feature can be seen through a large beveled glass panel. This clock has an 8 day mechanism with hourly striking, driven by triple...

A large well-detailed musical picture clock. The oil painting on canvas depicts a village scene in Europe with manor home, mountains at sunset in...

A Late Georgian Musical Table Clock By Thomas Roskell The well patinated carved mahogany case having a fluted and foliate carved pagoda top su...

Artfully decorated silver gilded table clock by a Viennese master: The base body made of silver, containing the musical mechanism, standing on four volute feet over a square plan, gilded surface chased and densely covered with reliefed and fully three-dimensional decorative elements, embedded enamel decoration and set faceted gemstones and pearls, as well as cameos. Dome-shaped elevation with enamel decoration and appliquéd floral elements and gemstone trimmings on the upper side of the musical movement...

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...