154. $500
Large mystery swing arm clock. This one is very unusual in that
it strikes the hours on a bell inside the 6-inch blue ball. Most swing arm clocks are time only. This is a copy of an early French
swing. It winds in front like the French clocks. American swings wind in the back. It stands 38 inches tall and the statue alone is
30 inches high to the bar in his hand. We have sold these large figure swingers in many variations, some with polished brass, some
with dull brass, and some painted bright gold. This swing arm has brass accessories top to bottom. Many of these large swingers will
run 14 days but we sell them as 8-day runners. We have not tested it for duration of swinging. It is beyond me how the price can be
so reasonable for solid brass clocks. $600-$900.
155. $1250
Polyphon Musikwerke was founded in 1890 in Leipzig, Germany,
and in 1894 began selling music boxes in America. Polyphon, Regina, and Symphonion, the big three, had about 90% of the music box
market. In a year of two the disc music boxes became obsolete as the phonograph became dominant in the home entertainment market.
Most music box makers went out of business by 1914. This walnut meandering case is 11 inches wide and 6 inches high with a colorful
lithograph on underside of the lid. The comb has 41 teeth and plays discs 8 inches to 8.25 inches. It is operating as expected and
comes with more than 25 discs. The case lid has a key lock in front, with a key. The winding lever is in front and is the activation
knob. The case is in near mint condition. $1350-$1750.
153. $1350
Southern Calendar Clock Co. “Fashion No. 3”, ca 1879. The 32”
high walnut case has the original finish, not as dark or black as many we have seen, but there is some faint accumulation of smoke
in the crevices. A light polishing occasionally has kept a lot of pollutants from accumulating. We have the original Texas star pendulum,
and a winding key. Everything about the clock appears to be original with the exception of the repainted top dial. Correct door lock
on the side, good “Fashion” glass, four correct hands, large/polished brass bell, polished nickeled dial rings, and at least one original
painted dial. The two movements are original and functioning properly. The case is clean and polished. Possibly the only flaw
would be the upper dial. Ly-Calendar, pages 284-286; Ly-Seth Thomas, page 118. $1500-$1750.
156. $350
French 4-column Empire clock, ca 1890. “F.A.E.que / E.
Chatelain / Horlogeries”, stamped on the 8-day movement plate, which would date the clock around 1890. Brown (walnut color) wood case
is 16.5” tall, has inlaid designs on the front and on the base below the pendulum. The inlays are perfect. There are ripple
like moldings around the top and base. The case is clean and should need no case work. There is a very nice cast bronze sash around
the one piece porcelain dial. The dial is good with very faint hairlines. The dial is signed but I cannot make it out. Original French
hands and a replaced, proper type pendulum. Four turned columns with bronze capitals and bases. A very attractive clock that runs
and strikes a bell on the hours and half hours. $400-$600.
152. $375
French figural clock with Dore finish and an 8-day silk thread
movement, ca 1855. The 8-day round French movement is signed “Vincenti & Cie / Medaille D’Argent”. That means Vincenti was the
maker and Medaille was a metal awarded the maker, probably by the French clockmakers guild. The door ring on the back is signed, “Duverdrey
& Bloquel / France”, another French clockmaker that probably provided some parts to Vincenti. The bright gold Dore case is 18
inches high and 16 inches wide, complete, shows no repairs or other problems. The movement with nickel bell attached is the typical
French style movement only this early model has an original silk thread pendulum and is running and striking properly. The one-piece
porcelain dial has a tiny flake at 9 o’clock that you can only see on close examination. The French hands are exceptional. $500-$750.
157. $500
French Boulle, ca 1950’s. The large case is 23 inches tall, made
of wood and painted with gold. After the case was painted gold it was then hand painted all over to resemble real inlaid Boulle and
brass. They even painted the inside of the back door to resemble Boulle and brass, just like the originals. On top is a cast ornament
and over the case are other castings. The 8-day movement is signed, “FHS / Germany”. It is running and strikes bim-bam on a bell,
half hours and hours. This is a very nice clock, looks just like the expensive ones. It was made in West Germany. Note the large porcelain
cartouche numerals on the brass dial plate. The front and back doors are glass inside cast brass frames. We have had this clock for
many years and everyone who sees it thinks it is the real thing. I have never seen another one so maybe they are rare. $600-$750.
