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Geneva, May 15, 2005

LOT 115

France, No. 1038. Made circa 1850. Fine and rare gothic revival musical, gilt and silvered bronze table clock with automaton railway and inlaid rose wood base.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 13,000 - 20,000 / USD 17,000 - 25,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. Gilt and silvered bronze, in the form of a Gothic cathedral and town with gateway, towers, turrets and crock-etedfinials, a cord operated automaton railway signal on one finial, raised upon a rock-work and flower hillsidebase, at each side a railway tunnel from which two lines of trains and carriages travel across. Rose wood veneeredbase with stringing and floral inlay to the front and containing the musical movement. D. Gilt, set in the facadeof the cathedral and in the form of a rose window, painted Roman numerals on raised cartouches. Blued steel"cathedrale" hands. M. Rectangular plates, two spring barrels, anchor escapement, silk suspension, outside count-wheelstriking the hours and half-hours on a bell, the hammer also activating a lever which pulls a cord connectedto a bell housed in a cupola on top of the case - thus appearing to strike when the clock movement strikes.Musical movement. 14cm pinned brass cylinder playing a choice of two tunes, one-piece steel comb,independent movement for the automata with rectangular brass plates, large spring barrel, three wheels and afly, a pulley and cord system operating the train automata, another rod acting against a star-wheel and connectedto a cord operating the signal on the roof of the cathedral. Automaton and music stops and selection slide inthe side of the base.Dim. 67 x 28.5 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

The design of this clock is inspired by the French Gothic Revival movement which was a fashionable architectural style from around 1835 - 1900. The restoration of many of France's great cathedrals and buildings in the medieval gothic style inspired designers of other works of art, although many pieces such as the present clock have a large element of fantasy in their interpretation of it. The self-taught architect Viollet le Duc (1814-1879) was the most famous proponent of the Gothic Revival in France. He was best known for restorations at Pierrefonds and Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.