Lot 32
A fine and rare large late 19th century French automata champleve enamel and green onyx nautical compendium with two timepieces, barometer, thermometer and compass Retailed by Chs.J.Gauff & Co., Hong Kong 1
16 December 2020, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £15,250 inc. premium
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A fine and rare large late 19th century French automata champleve enamel and green onyx nautical compendium with two timepieces, barometer, thermometer and compass
Retailed by Chs.J.Gauff & Co., Hong Kong
The capstan surmounted by a decorated cupola housing a compass over twin clock dials (for world time use), a Fahrenheit and Reamur mercury thermometer and an aneroid barometer, all set on a rotating drum wound from below, the lower half of the case wrapped in ropework and set with a patinated anchor, a davit, a ships block and life belt, all raised on a circular green onyx base, the pillars, cresting and capstan decorated with polychrome champleve enamel. Both clock movements tick, the upper cupola section is wound from the base and rotates automatically, as it should. 51cms (20ins) high (1)
The capstan surmounted by a decorated cupola housing a compass over twin clock dials (for world time use), a Fahrenheit and Reamur mercury thermometer and an aneroid barometer, all set on a rotating drum wound from below, the lower half of the case wrapped in ropework and set with a patinated anchor, a davit, a ships block and life belt, all raised on a circular green onyx base, the pillars, cresting and capstan decorated with polychrome champleve enamel. Both clock movements tick, the upper cupola section is wound from the base and rotates automatically, as it should. 51cms (20ins) high (1)
Footnotes
Comparable literature: A similar example is illustrated in Roberts, D. (1999) Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks. Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, p. 257 fig. 22-9A. Another similar model was offered as part of The Joseph M. Meraux Collection of Rare and Unusual Clocks, Sotheby's, New York, June 28 1993, Lot 42.
A similar model, but without the benefit of the polychrome enamel decoration, is illustrated in Alan Qing, 2014, 'Antique Clocks, Art and Technology in Time, 1680-1920', page 144.
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