f252 Sold

c.1875 Rare Guilmet Mystery Wall Clock.

French / Novelty

Inv. #: f252

Maker: A. R Guilmet

Circa: 1875

Size: 29" high

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An exceptionally rare late 19th century wall mounted mystery clock by the noted maker A.R. Guilmet. In this version the statue is replaced with a beveled glass that is frosted and etched and fitted to a frame that is impulsed by the movement below. For additional information on Guilmet see: 'Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks' by Roberts, Chapter 21, pg.241.For copies of his patents including the 1874 Certificate of Addition see: Roberts, Appendix 2, pg. 275.For a very rare mantle clock version incorporating the pendulum suspended from a plate glass see: Sothebys, Meraux Collection, 1993, lot 143.

Case

The gilt-bronze case is composed of two elongated multi-piece tubular frames each adorned with decorative mounts. While the front frame is purely decorative, the rear oscillates and is an integral part of the timekeeping.

Dial

The white porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours and steel-cut spade hands. The backside includes '3157' in ink. The front was restored about 20 years ago.    

Movement

The eight-day time and strike movement has Guilmet's detented escapement and is stamped on the backplate 'GLT, SDGD, Brevete, 3157' Suspended from the beveled glass panel is a multi-piece Guilmet pendulum with a split beveled bob.