Ansonia late 19th century spelter 'Denis Papin' clock inset…
click the photo to enlarge
Ansonia late 19th century spelter 'Denis Papin' clock inset porcelain dial with black Arabic hour numbers, with an eight day movement. Ornately decorated with applied scrolled and beaded motifs, with a pendulum. Condition good to fair, some staining to the face, minor scratches, working order. Length 39 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
  • Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.

    The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.

    Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.

    The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.

    The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927.
  • Spelter - Spelter was the name given to an alloy of zinc and brass or copper used in the 19th century for statuary and lighting. It is a brittle bluish-white metal. It was used as a cheap replacement for bronze, but being brittle easily breaks and can't be repaired. When finished it can often be mistaken for bronze, but if discreet a scratch on the base displays shows a greyish colour, the metal is spelter, if a golden colour the metal is most likely bronze.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

An Ansonia mantel clock with figured spelter case, 19th century. 28 cm high, 36 cm wide, 16 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A French bronze mantle clock, Charles Pickard, Paris, circa 1820, the gilt bronze case featuring a young lady in prayer, all on a floriate rock formation above a rococo inspired platform base. The white porcelain dial with cobalt blue Roman numerals, and s

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A late 19th century Vincenti & Co. ormolu clock with 8-day movement and Roman numerals, the finely cast case surmounted by gilt figure, on scroll feet, 40 cm high

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Samuel Marti & Co. ormolu mantle clock on a stand, with four female figurehead feet. Height 77 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.