French silvered and gilt brass novelty automaton windmill timepiece
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th century
This late 19th-century French novelty industrial timepiece is modelled as a stone-bonded windmill tower and attributed by the auctioneer to André Romain Guilmet.
The case incorporates a silvered brass Roman numeral time dial positioned beneath an aneroid barometer, along with side thermometer scales. The internal eight-day circular timepiece movement utilizes a platform cylinder escapement stamped with serial number 2693. A separate spring-driven movement in the lower base originally powered automaton windmill sails. Resting on a black marble base, the piece features miniature architectural details including windows and a hinged doorway enclosing the automaton winding square.
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
- Novelty automaton timepiece
- Dimensions
- 47 cm high overall by 17 cm diameter at base
- Escapement
- Platform cylinder escapement
- Dial diameter
- 2.25 inches
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker attribution
- Attributed to André Romain Guilmet
- Maker / attribution
- André Romain Guilmet (attributed)
- Movement serial number
- 2693
Design
- Visible features
- • Conical metal roof topped by a small finial over a cylindrical block-patterned tower. • Vertically arranged circular aneroid barometer mounted directly above the clock dial. • Pierced foliate brass balcony rail encircling the upper edge of the plinth base. • Miniature hinged doorway and dummy rectangular windows set into the circular lower drum.
- Dials and Integrated Instruments
- The primary time display is a 2.25-inch circular silvered brass dial with Roman numerals and a recessed gilt center, viewed through a hinged bevel-glazed bezel. Positioned beneath this dial is an aneroid barometer. The device includes a silvered scale calibrated in millimetres of mercury and a recording pointer. Additionally, the sides of the tower feature applied thermometer scales for Fahrenheit, Centigrade, and Réaumur.
- Object Description and Attribution
- This novelty automaton timepiece, attributed by the auctioneer to André Romain Guilmet, dates to the late 19th century. The piece is modelled as a windmill tower constructed of silvered and gilt brass. The tower structure features a slightly flared cylindrical upright rendered with bonded blocks. It is supported by a circular plinth base, which includes a pierced foliate brass gallery and a moulded brass skirt, all resting on a circular black marble plinth.
- Timepiece and Automaton Mechanisms
- The timepiece utilizes an eight-day, single-train circular movement equipped with a platform cylinder escapement and a monometallic balance. The movement is stamped with the serial number 2693. A secondary, separate spring-driven movement located within the lower base is designed to power the windmill sail automaton. Access to the winding square for this movement is provided via a hinged miniature door, which is flanked by dummy windows.
Identification
- Serial number
- 2693
- 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: Source notes the windmill sail assembly is missing.
- Research required: One thermometer tube is noted as lacking and the automaton pulley mechanism is incomplete.