antique swinging glass dial mystery clock. robert houdin, paris

Circa 1875

A very rare late nineteenth century swinging glass dial mystery clock by the eminent maker Robert Houdin.
The decorative gilt metal and onyx base stands on large decorative feet and supports the classically attired female figure.
The clock is composed of a glass dial, a grid-iron pendulum mounted with the suspension spring and a blue painted sphere with gilded stars that houses the movement. The small eight-day timepiece movement has the single winding aperture hidden behind a moveable star while the crutch rises out the back and engages the pin above. Once running the clock rocks side to side pivoting at the point of suspension.
The circular glass dial has a chamfered edge and gold leaf lettering on a black ground. It has Roman numerals and is signed by the maker, Robert-Houdin, Paris and has two decorative gilt hands. Housed in the centre is the driving force for the hands. Although there is no apparent connection between the two movements, the motion work in the centre of the dial is indeed dependent on the rocking powered from below. As the clock swings a small weighted pendulum falls side to side and delivers the necessary impulse to drive the motion work and in turn the large decorative hands. Since the hands are driven by a very delicate centre movement they are perfectly balanced by small cylinders of lead.
26.5 inches / 67cm high.ref 3669 Antique clock s, anitque watches , antique jewlery bought and sold.   We are now only operating as an Internet shop on www. antiques.co.uk , as these huge overheads with a bricks and mortar premises are no longer viable. We are passing on these savings to our customers making the prices more reasonable. Having turned to the internet and finding that all over heads are kept to a absolute minimum we realised that this is the best forward for any antique dealer or collector to display their items to an enormous audience globally open 24 hours a day seven days a week. We hope you enjoy all our uniquely chosen items here on WWW. antiques.co.uk

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