A VERY RARE FRENCH HOUDIN-TYPE GILT BRASS MYSTERY GLASS-DIAL NIGHT TIMEPIECE UNSIGNED, MID 19th CENTURY The circular eight-day single train movement with platform Debaufre-type frictional rest escapement regulated by sprung monometallic balance, the front motionwork incorporating pulley and continuous coiled spring belt continuing up into the superstructure to drive a revolving circular glass plate, set behind the conforming 4 inch frosted Roman numeral hour disc, fitted with single gilt arrow-shaped hour hand at the centre, the outer track of the dial divided for five minutes and set within a brass ring, over twin griffin-cast supports issuing from a fluted acanthus cast post with lappet leaf decorated collar, the plinth-form base applied with a small candle holder cast as a dolphin set behind the dial over shallow concave sides and repeating oval motif cast caddy top mouldings, above architectural rectangular pilaster corner uprights flanking shaped panels cast in the Renaissance manner with foliate panels to front and sides, the rear with plain pin-hinged door, the moulded panelled apron skirt applied with Baroque strapwork mount to front and rosette decorated plinths to angles. 34.5cm (13.5ins) high, the base 12cm (4.75ins) square. The present lot is a very rare variant following in the manner of Robert Houdin who developed this form of mystery timepiece during the 1830's. Houdin's timepieces were made with movements concealed within a decorative shaped base and utilised a pin-wheel and take-off arbor to drive the rear glass plate. The current lot, however, uses a much simpler system. A tightly-coiled spring 'belt' is driven by a pully fitted to the front of the movement, this passes through the griffin cast mounts and over the of the rear revolving glass plate and is concealed within the brass frame bordering the dial. The plate rotates and the hand fixed to its centre provides the time on the separate stationary frosted glass hour dial. A further noteworthy detail is that the movement incorporates a Debaufre-type frictional rest escapement as used by Paul Garnier in his early carriage clocks. The provision of a candle holder behind the translucent dial disc is also a useful addition as it allows the present lot to function as an effective night timepiece.
A VERY RARE FRENCH HOUDIN-TYPE GILT BRASS MYSTERY GLASS-DIAL NIGHT TIMEPIECE UNSIGNED, MID 19th CENTURY The circular eight-day single train movement with platform Debaufre-type frictional rest escapement regulated by sprung monometallic balance, the front motionwork incorporating pulley and continuous coiled spring belt continuing up into the superstructure to drive a revolving circular glass plate, set behind the conforming 4 inch frosted Roman numeral hour disc, fitted with single gilt arrow-shaped hour hand at the centre, the outer track of the dial divided for five minutes and set within a brass ring, over twin griffin-cast supports issuing from a fluted acanthus cast post with lappet leaf decorated collar, the plinth-form base applied with a small candle holder cast as a dolphin set behind the dial over shallow concave sides and repeating oval motif cast caddy top mouldings, above architectural rectangular pilaster corner uprights flanking shaped panels cast in the Renaissance manner with foliate panels to front and sides, the rear with plain pin-hinged door, the moulded panelled apron skirt applied with Baroque strapwork mount to front and rosette decorated plinths to angles. 34.5cm (13.5ins) high, the base 12cm (4.75ins) square. The present lot is a very rare variant following in the manner of Robert Houdin who developed this form of mystery timepiece during the 1830's. Houdin's timepieces were made with movements concealed within a decorative shaped base and utilised a pin-wheel and take-off arbor to drive the rear glass plate. The current lot, however, uses a much simpler system. A tightly-coiled spring 'belt' is driven by a pully fitted to the front of the movement, this passes through the griffin cast mounts and over the of the rear revolving glass plate and is concealed within the brass frame bordering the dial. The plate rotates and the hand fixed to its centre provides the time on the separate stationary frosted glass hour dial. A further noteworthy detail is that the movement incorporates a Debaufre-type frictional rest escapement as used by Paul Garnier in his early carriage clocks. The provision of a candle holder behind the translucent dial disc is also a useful addition as it allows the present lot to function as an effective night timepiece.
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