Bronze, Ormolu and Polished Copper on Bronze Rocking Ship Automaton Clock

Rare Automaton Whistler by Henry Phalibois, with papier-mache character head modeled with puckered, slightly-open lips, defined cheek bones, slender neck, threaded blue paperweight e...

French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...

French Empire clock of stunning quality of borne shape constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. The dial of the clock is signed "L Ravrio" below 1...

French Charles X period patinated bronze and original mercury gilded ormolu "Borne" clock. Fine clock with superb ormolu in the shape of a borne (or milestone). The subject that of Hero and Leander. He sits by an altar as Hero anoints his hair. The clock takes its inspiration directly from the superb paiting "Hero et Leandre" by Pierre-Claude-Francois Delorme ( 1783-1859) presented to the Salon in Paris in 1814. Superb modelling, finishing and gilding. The patinated bronze case is surrounded at the front by a very fine ormolu moulding decorated with Acanthis leaf and Amthemion outside of a beaded border. The feet are decorated with a flaming torch passing through two wreaths. The fine dial decorated again with an outer border of stiff leaf and dart pattern, then Acanthus and Amthemion to the middle circle while to the inside the decoration is laurel leaf and forget-me-not flowers. The dial is signed " Charles Oudin...

A very smart and stylish antique French Charles X period mantel clock in ormolu and patinated bronze with original ormolu throughout and surmounted by a fine ormolu urn on a stepped ...

French Ormolu and porcelain mantel clock of Classical design dating from the mid-19th century stamped in the mint and original Ormolu H. Picard. Numbered in the bronze, 1297. The original ormolu is in quite pristine and totally original condition. The case inset with painted porcelain panels with fruit and floral decoration in the classical style. The clock surmounted by a Bacchanalian mask and two handled vase with grapes, standing on six vase shaped feet on a velvet plinth...

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 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...

This 19th-century French automaton from the late 1800s showcases a delightful ensemble of features: three vibrant animated birds, a cascading waterfall, a tree surrounded by rocky ou...

Massive late 19th century copper and brass ship's lantern by the English firm Meteorite. With copper maker's badge, fresnel glass lens and brass bail handle. Massive copper ship’s ma...

Early 20th century European clock tower automaton figures We are proud to offer an extremely rare set of European clock tower automaton figures, in the form of Persian / Turkish male dressed figures. Dated from the early 20th century, hand carved from wooden sections and detailed in gesso and paint. In completely original condition, later these figures have been secured to a 19th century ebonized wooden base for display purposes. These figures still have their original mechanisms in place, the metal rods extended from their backs, once pulled raise both hands and head, the mechanism is simple and on a pulley system. It is likely these figures would have been part of a larger group, which would have been animated once the clock tower struck upon the hour. This is the first time we have ever been able to obtain artifacts of this nature, and they are exceedingly rare in completely original form. Size in inches: H 24” x W 21” x D 10” Origin: Europe Period: 1900-1920 Material: Wood & Gesso Condition: These items are completely solid in structure and form. Wear is present across all the surfaces which includes crackled paint, worn surfaces, chipped gesso, and faded paint, these items are firmly secured to base pictured. The velour clothing...

Vintage ship’s speed and distance taffrail log spinners. One is hallmarked Negus, MILF, New York, and the letter “S”. the second brass spinner has a blade...