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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mystery clock

André Romain Guilmet figural mystery clock

Partially verified

This late 19th-century bronze and black marble mystery clock is catalogued to André Romain Guilmet of Paris. The rectangular black marble case rests on gilt bronze paw feet and features lateral lion-mask ring handles. Surmounting the case is a patinated bronze figure of a classically draped young woman holding aloft a pendulum fitted with a thick, brass-rimmed glass bob. According to the auction description, the pendulum is impulsed via imperceptible oscillation of the circular plinth below the figure. The movement is an eight-day, two-train time and strike mechanism incorporating a crank and stirrup escapement, with back plate stamped for Guilmet and numbered 332.

Frontal view of the bronze and black marble Guilmet mystery clock showing the figure, pendulum, and dial
Frontal view of the bronze and black marble Guilmet mystery clock showing the figure, pendulum, and dial — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Clock · Mystery clock
Maker / attribution
André Romain Guilmet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
462
Source-reported date
circa 1890
Country
France
Source-reported serial
332

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

Construction and Design

This late 19th-century mystery clock is catalogued to André Romain Guilmet of Paris. The case features a molded base with paw feet, including scroll and honeysuckle returns, and sides adorned with decorative lion-mask handles.

The clock is surmounted by a patinated figure of a young woman. She is depicted with her left hand held aloft, supporting the suspension of a pendulum featuring a thick, brass-rimmed glass bob.

Evidence for this section
  • “Andre Romain Guilmet, Paris, a good late 19th century bronze and black marble mystery clock”
  • “the case with molded base and paw feet with scroll and honeysuckle returns, the sides with decorative lion mask handles”
  • “surmounted by a figure of a young woman in a patinated finish, her left hand held aloft, and suspending the pendulum with thick, brass rimmed glass bob”

Dial and Mechanism

The time is displayed on an engine-turned silvered dial featuring Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet-style hands.

The clock functions as an eight-day, two-train time and strike movement equipped with a crank and stirrup escapement. Its operation is described as being impulsed through the nearly imperceptible movement of the round base upon which the figure stands. The back plate is marked with the maker's name and numbered 332.

Evidence for this section
  • “roman numeral engine turned silvered dial with blued steel Breguet style hands”
  • “eight day, two train time and strike movement with crank and stirrup escapement”
  • “impulsed through the nearly imperceptible movement of the round base on which she stands”
  • “the back plate with Guilmet's mark and numbered 332”

Condition and Attribution

Reported condition issues include deterioration to the polish, minor chips and losses at the front corners of the base, and a few minor flakes and chips at the back. Additional notes cite losses to the gilding on bronze mounts, minor tarnishing on the dial, poorly restored numerals, and losses to the blue finish on the hands. The pendulum is noted as tarnished, and the glass contains dirt between the halves.

The object is identified as originating from the collection of Victor Kochaver.

Evidence for this section
  • “case with some deterioration to polish, minor chips and losses at front corners of base, a few minor flakes and chips at back”
  • “bronze mounts and moldings with losses to gilding, dial with minor tarnish, numerals poorly restored, hands with losses to blue”
  • “pendulum tarnished, glass with dirt between halves”
  • “From the collection of Victor Kochaver”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific technical components of the crank and stirrup escapement used by Guilmet?
  • How do the dimensions of this piece compare to other known mystery clocks by this maker?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for André Romain Guilmet figural mystery clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAndre Romain Guilmet, Paris“Andre Romain Guilmet, Paris, a good late 19th century bronze and black marble mystery clock”
Movement number332“the back plate with Guilmet's mark and numbered 332.”
EscapementCrank and stirrup escapement“eight day, two train time and strike movement with crank and stirrup escapement”
Dimensions27.5in x 12.75in x 9.75in“Dimensions 27.5in x 12.75in x 9.75in”
Datecirca 1890“circa 1890”
MakerAndré Romain Guilmet“Andre Romain Guilmet, Paris”
Serial Number332“numbered 332”

Visible details

  • Patinated bronze classical female figure holding the suspension point of the long pendulum aloft
  • Circular pendulum bob formed of thick glass encased within a brass rim
  • Black marble case body flanked by gilt lion-head handles and raised on four outward-curving paw feet
  • Engine-turned silvered dial with black Roman hour numerals and two winding apertures

Research qualifications

  • Movement and back plate are not visible in the provided frontal image.
  • Catalog notes condition issues including chipped marble corners, rubbed gilding, and poorly restored dial numerals.

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

Consulted source

At Auction: A good late 19th century figural mystery clock by Guilmet with crank and stirrup escapement

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 1dc2c05750

Terms in this record

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

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