Items Similar to French Musical Automaton Picture Clock
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
French Musical Automaton Picture Clock
About the Item
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 most often are found blending the time and musical components, but to find a specimen that also includes the automaton workings as well is nothing short of extraordinary.
French, circa 1880.
Measures: 44" wide x 10 1/4" deep x 48 1/2" high.
- Dimensions:Height: 48.5 in (123.19 cm)Width: 44 in (111.76 cm)Depth: 10.25 in (26.04 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 30-90191stDibs: LU891113929102
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1912
1stDibs seller since 2010
105 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 10 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: New Orleans, LA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllJoe DiMaggio's Presentation Desk Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
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...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Automaton Clock And Music Box House
By Geneva Clock Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This artful and unique automaton clock and music box house proudly bears the signature of Geneva, a hallmark of unparalleled horological excellence. For generations, Geneva has seamlessly merged traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, setting the standard for luxury timepieces. Adorned with delicate hand-painted details, this exquisite cottage exudes provincial charm. Intricate floral motifs and ivy vines gracefully ascend its façade, drawing onlookers into this detailed masterpiece. A couple stands in the doorway, meticulously carved to exude the height of style and grace.
In the style of the iconic cuckoo clock, a distinguished gentleman, adorned with a pipe and cane, emerges from the balcony doors...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Wood
Chimes of Normandy Musical Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Chimes of Normandy Musical Clock
Early 20th Century
A masterpiece of horology and woodworking, the Chimes of Normandy Clock exemplifies early 20th-cent...
Category
Early 20th Century Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Oak
George III Adam and Eve Automaton Longcase Clock
By James Fenton
Located in New Orleans, LA
A majestic specimen of English clockmaking, this important longcase clock by London clockmaker James Fenton features an exceptional Adam and Eve automaton above the dial. Longcase ti...
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase ...
Materials
Mahogany
Mandolin Singing Bird Automaton Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional singing bird cylinder music box is a wonder of Austrian mechanical ingenuity. Not only does it play a selection of classical airs with remarkable tone and clarity, but its lush sound is accompanied by a colorful, singing bird automaton...
Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Satinwood
French Annular Dial Mantel Clock
By Maison Marnyhac 1
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important Napoleon III annular dial mantel clock is distinguished by its pendulum movement–a feature rarely seen in annular dial clocks. The pe...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
You May Also Like
19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
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...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Mantel Clocks
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
18thC English Automaton Picture Clock
Located in Grange-Over-Sands, GB
An unusual framed picture clock with automaton see saw, windmill and clock tower. The painted copper sheet depicts a bucolic pastoral scene, with trees and hills, a rustic cottage an...
Category
Antique 18th Century British Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock
Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau
Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the pai...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Wall Clocks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Musical Picture Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
Category
Antique 1850s European Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Vintage Chinese Canton Automaton Acrobat Musical Pagoda Waterfall Bracket Clock
Located in Danville, CA
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock
By Winterhalder and Hofmeier
Located in Danville, CA
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...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Bronze
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
French Antique Shops
Antique Shops France
Antique Wall Picture Frames
Animate Objects
French Giltwood Objects
19th Century Music Boxes
19th Century Music Box
Music Box 19th
Antique Pendulum Wall Clock
Antique Paris Wall Clock
Eye Clocks
Horseshoe Crafts
Antique Measuring Devices
Automaton Furniture
Clocks With Music
Antique Automaton
Mechanical Wall Clock
Antique Anvil