French brass and silvered torpedo industrial timepiece with automaton
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th / early 20th century
This French novelty industrial timepiece is styled as a suspended torpedo above naval motifs, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. The source reports an eight-day brass drum movement with a lever escapement stamped '4624' and '93', which drives an automaton propeller.
The torpedo body displays a silvered circular dial with Roman numerals and pierced hands, hung from twin davits by chain tackles and mesh slings. Its stepped rosso antico marble base is fitted with turned brass feet and decorated with nautical accoutrements including an anchor, artillery shell, life buoy, and a central capstan-form compass signed 'Radiguet Paris'.
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
- Type
- Industrial automaton mantel clock
- Movement
- Eight-day brass drum movement with lever escapement
- Signature
- Signed Radiguet Paris
- Dimensions
- 36.2 cm high by 46.2 cm wide
- Base Material
- Stepped rosso antico marble base and turned brass feet
- Place recorded
- France
- Movement Stamps
- Stamped 4624 and 93
- Maker / attribution
- Radiguet Paris
Design
- Visible features
- • Torpedo-shaped silvered body suspended horizontally by two chain-and-pulley tackles with woven metal slings. • Twin curved silvered and brass davits support the suspended torpedo. • Circular silvered dial mounted on the torpedo flank with black Roman numerals and pierced hands. • Automaton propeller and rudder assembly mounted at the stern of the torpedo. • Stepped reddish-brown marble plinth supports turned brass feet and miniature naval objects: an anchor, a capstan with compass and spoke handles, an artillery projectile, and a bound life ring.
- Dial and Movement
- The torpedo-form case incorporates a silvered dial featuring Roman numerals and pierced hands. The clock is powered by an eight-day brass drum movement with a lever escapement. The source documents that the movement is stamped '4624' and '93'. The stern of the torpedo includes an automaton propeller.
- Attribution and Dating
- The piece is dated to the late 19th or early 20th century. The source notes that this model was likely based on the Whitehead torpedo. A similar example is documented in the literature: Derek Roberts, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, p.256, fig.22-6.
- Construction and Design
- The timepiece features a torpedo-shaped case suspended from chains and pulleys. The assembly is supported by a stepped rosso antico marble base featuring turned brass feet. The decorative base includes nautical-themed elements, specifically an anchor, a life buoy, an artillery shell, and a ship's wheel. A compass is inset into the center and bears the signature 'Radiguet Paris'.
Identification
- Serial number
- 4624
- 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 caliber details, lever escapement, automaton mechanism, and internal stamps ('4624', '93') are not visible in the provided exterior photograph.
- Research required: The maker attribution to Radiguet Paris is derived from a signature on the plinth-mounted compass rather than on the clock dial or movement.