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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Rolling ball clock

A Contemporary Congreve Rolling Ball Clock

Partially verified

Catalogued as a contemporary 20th-century Congreve rolling ball clock, this timepiece incorporates a skeletonised fusee movement fronted by three chapter rings indicating hours, minutes, and seconds. The brass upper frame features a triangular pediment supported by four pillars, positioned directly above a tilting grooved brass platform intended for a rolling steel ball. The entire clock mechanism is housed within a brass-framed glass case standing on a rectangular wood base. Bonhams records the clock's height at 16 inches excluding the case and base.

Contemporary Congreve rolling ball clock within a brass-framed glazed case on a wooden base
Contemporary Congreve rolling ball clock within a brass-framed glazed case on a wooden base — Bonhams Skinner. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Rolling ball clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
242
Source-reported date
20th century
Country
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Object Identity and Architectural Structure

The lot is catalogued by Bonhams Skinner as a contemporary Congreve rolling ball clock dating to the 20th century. Its brass upper framework is described as having a triangular pediment supported on four pillars, resting within a brass-framed glass case on a wood base.

Visual observation of the clock notes four brass columns with spherical and spire finials supporting the intermediate structure, with the entire mechanism housed inside a glazed five-sided brass vitrine case atop a dark wood plinth.

Evidence for this section
  • “A Contemporary Congreve Rolling Ball Clock, 20th century,”
  • “having a triangular pediment supported on four pillars”
  • “brass framed glass case, wood base”
  • “Four brass columns with spherical and spire finials support the intermediate structure.”
  • “The clock mechanism rests inside a glazed five-sided brass vitrine case atop a dark wood plinth.”

Movement and Rolling Ball Platform

The movement is recorded in the auction listing as a skeletonised fusee movement fronted by three chapter rings indicating hours, minutes, and seconds. Visual examination confirms three white enamel or silvered chapter rings mounted horizontally across the upper brass framework.

Positioned beneath the movement is a tilting brass platform with a rolling steel ball. Visible inspection shows that this zig-zag grooved brass track platform is suspended on a central pivot below the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “with three chapter rings for hours minutes and seconds”
  • “fronting a skeletonised fusee movement”
  • “above a tilting brass platform with rolling steel ball”
  • “Three white enamel or silvered chapter rings are mounted horizontally across the upper brass framework.”
  • “A zig-zag grooved brass track platform is suspended on a central pivot below the movement.”

Dimensions and Documentary Limitations

The auction description provides a single measurement of 16 inches height for the clock mechanism only, excluding the outer vitrine case and base.

No maker, workshop, country of manufacture, or reference numbers are recorded in the auction entry. While the text mentions a rolling steel ball, it is not clearly discerned on the platform in the primary catalogue image, and no mechanical assessment or functional report is provided.

Evidence for this section
  • “clock only 16 in ht”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker stamps, serial numbers, or country of origin marks on the movement plates or the underside of the brass base?
  • Is the rolling steel ball included loose with the lot or fitted on the track, given that it is not clearly distinguished in the primary photograph?
  • What are the outer dimensions of the brass-framed vitrine and wooden base?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A Contemporary Congreve Rolling Ball Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date20th century“A Contemporary Congreve Rolling Ball Clock, 20th century,”
Pediment and PillarsTriangular pediment supported on four pillars“having a triangular pediment supported on four pillars”
Chapter RingsThree chapter rings for hours, minutes, and seconds“with three chapter rings for hours minutes and seconds”
MovementSkeletonised fusee movement“fronting a skeletonised fusee movement”
PlatformTilting brass platform with rolling steel ball“above a tilting brass platform with rolling steel ball”
Case and BaseBrass framed glass case and wood base“brass framed glass case, wood base”
Height16 inches (clock only)“clock only 16 in ht”
Auction ResultSold for US$768 including premium“Sold for US$768 inc. premium”
Auction Sale TitleEuropean Decor and Design, 29 June – 10 July 2025“European Decor and Design 29 June – 10 July 2025, 12:00 EDT”

Visible details

  • Three white enamel or silvered chapter rings are mounted horizontally across the upper brass framework.
  • A zig-zag grooved brass track platform is suspended on a central pivot below the movement.
  • Four brass columns with spherical and spire finials support the intermediate structure.
  • The clock mechanism rests inside a glazed five-sided brass vitrine case atop a dark wood plinth.

Research qualifications

  • The maker and exact place of origin are not specified by the auction house.
  • The rolling steel ball described in the catalogue text is not clearly visible on the platform in the primary photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams Skinner : A Contemporary Congreve Rolling Ball Clock, 20th century,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 27d3cfe3b3

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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