Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Automaton Musical Bracket Clock. An important, exhibition quality ormolu bronze bracket clock of massive proportions, the case decorated in Champlevé enamels and a variety of cast decorative elements that include a large urn and four full columns topped by acanthus buds, ladies faces on all four columns, egg and dart trim, four large detailed paw feet. The arched door with beveled glass opens to the clock face topped by an iridescent bird automaton within a painted diorama framed by an enameled bronze facade of tree foliage and accented by flora and fauna made from bird feathers. Champleve spandrels frame the clock dial, which is inset with four smaller dials to regulate the speed, chime, music and song. The large dial with black enamel roman numerals signed for the exclusive retailer Bailey, Banks and Biddle, Philadelphia and centered by an elaborate roundel of beautiful Champlevé enamels in high relief. Below the dial is an equally beautiful field of flowing tendrils in high relief Champlevé centered by an enameled shell motif. Mechanism : 3 individual mechanisms driving, clock, automaton and music. Clock – The movement is signed’W & H Sch. For Winterhalder & Hofmeier, Schwarzenbach. Chime strike on each quarter hour with Westminster chime quarterly on a series of wired gongs. Automaton located in the lower left side of the case, On each full hour strike, a 5 minute song and the automaton bird turns his head, flicks his tail and the beak opens and closes. The bellows for this function are in working condition. Music hidden inside the lower base, almost as big as the base itself, On the hour, it plays 2 minute music with at least four different songs. A set of 3 winding keys for each mechanism. Measurements: 37 x 22 x 14 inches. A Private collection; 2. Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. Condition : the entire clock is its in original condition and all functions are working properly, overall in. Very good condition, some enamel loss to’clamshell’ above the automaton. Reference : Bailey, Banks and Biddle according to Wikipedia, Bailey & Kitchen, as it was originally known, was founded in Philadelphia in 1832. It becomes Bailey & Co. In 1841, and Bailey Banks & Biddle in 1878. At the turn of the century, Bailey Banks & Biddle was commissioned by the U. Government to update the Great Seal of the United States; its design today remains the official version of the seal. The company also designed and made many of the military medals that are still used today, including the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. A similar clock is currently in display in Beijing Forbidden City Museum. Please see the last photo. The item “Massive 1880 Antique Ormolu Bronze Enameled Case Automaton Musical Bracket Clock” is in sale since Friday, July 17, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Clocks\Other Clocks”. The seller is “zero-distance” and is located in Livermore, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Chime Sequence: Westminster
- Character: Clocking
- Material: Bronze
- Theme: Music
- Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
- Movement: Mechanical
- Type: Bracket Clock
- Features: 8-Day
- Antique: Yes
- Finish: Bronze
- Frame Material: Bronze
- Brand: Clock
- Time Period Manufactured: 1850-1899