André Romain Guilmet figural mystery clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This late 19th-century bronze and black marble mystery clock is catalogued to André Romain Guilmet of Paris. The rectangular black marble case rests on gilt bronze paw feet and features lateral lion-mask ring handles.
Surmounting the case is a patinated bronze figure of a classically draped young woman holding aloft a pendulum fitted with a thick, brass-rimmed glass bob. According to the auction description, the pendulum is impulsed via imperceptible oscillation of the circular plinth below the figure. The movement is an eight-day, two-train time and strike mechanism incorporating a crank and stirrup escapement, with back plate stamped for Guilmet and numbered 332.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1890
- Type
- Mystery clock
- Maker
- Andre Romain Guilmet, Paris
- Dimensions
- 27.5in x 12.75in x 9.75in
- Escapement
- Crank and stirrup escapement
- Place recorded
- France
- Movement number
- 332
- Maker / attribution
- André Romain Guilmet
Design
- Visible features
- • Patinated bronze classical female figure holding the suspension point of the long pendulum aloft • Circular pendulum bob formed of thick glass encased within a brass rim • Black marble case body flanked by gilt lion-head handles and raised on four outward-curving paw feet • Engine-turned silvered dial with black Roman hour numerals and two winding apertures
- Dial and Mechanism
- The time is displayed on an engine-turned silvered dial featuring Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet-style hands. The clock functions as an eight-day, two-train time and strike movement equipped with a crank and stirrup escapement. Its operation is described as being impulsed through the nearly imperceptible movement of the round base upon which the figure stands. The back plate is marked with the maker's name and numbered 332.
- Construction and Design
- This late 19th-century mystery clock is catalogued to André Romain Guilmet of Paris. The case features a molded base with paw feet, including scroll and honeysuckle returns, and sides adorned with decorative lion-mask handles. The clock is surmounted by a patinated figure of a young woman. She is depicted with her left hand held aloft, supporting the suspension of a pendulum featuring a thick, brass-rimmed glass bob.
- Condition and Attribution
- Reported condition issues include deterioration to the polish, minor chips and losses at the front corners of the base, and a few minor flakes and chips at the back. Additional notes cite losses to the gilding on bronze mounts, minor tarnishing on the dial, poorly restored numerals, and losses to the blue finish on the hands. The pendulum is noted as tarnished, and the glass contains dirt between the halves. The object is identified as originating from the collection of Victor Kochaver.
Identification
- Serial number
- 332
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement and back plate are not visible in the provided frontal image.
- Research required: Catalog notes condition issues including chipped marble corners, rubbed gilding, and poorly restored dial numerals.