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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component · Clock pendulum

Animated Comtoise Pendulum with Ship Theme

Partially verified

This 19th-century brass Comtoise clock pendulum features an animated maritime theme. The lower circular bob houses a painted relief aperture depicting boats navigating on water with polychrome accents. The upper stem displays embossed relief nautical motifs including anchors, oars, fish, and dolphins. Catalogued under the Napoleon III style by dealer Antiquités Olivier Janet in France, the listing notes that the pendulum is accompanied by an associated movement featuring fish motifs and weights, though only the pendulum is depicted in this photograph.

Full view of the brass animated Comtoise pendulum showing the decorated stem and maritime scene bob
Full view of the brass animated Comtoise pendulum showing the decorated stem and maritime scene bob — Antiquités Olivier JANET. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Component · Clock pendulum
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
1830182
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
19th century
Country
France

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

Visual Morphology and Maritime Ornamentation

The catalogued object consists of an elongated repoussé brass clock pendulum characterized by maritime and naval decorative motifs. The upper shaft displays structured embossed reliefs incorporating elements such as crossed oars, an anchor, and fish or dolphin forms flanking the central stem.

At the lower terminal, the circular pendulum bob frames an aperture containing a multi-layered polychrome relief scene. This diorama depicts figures aboard small sailing vessels set against a painted blue and green nautical background, finished below by a visible threaded rating rod for regulating the swing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Elongated repoussé brass stem decorated with oars, an anchor, and fish or dolphin ornamentation.”
  • “Circular pendulum bob framing a painted multi-layered relief scene of figures in sailing vessels against a blue and green background.”
  • “Threaded adjustment rod visible protruding from the bottom of the pendulum bob.”

Reported Accompaniments and Associated Movement

The dealer listing describes the piece as an animated pendulum depicting a small boat sailing on the water. Beyond the pendulum itself, the record indicates accompanying horological components that are absent from the provided photograph.

Specifically, the seller notes that the pendulum is accompanied by an associated movement decorated with fish motifs, alongside corresponding weights. Because only the pendulum is illustrated, the physical condition and mechanical connection between the movement and the animated ship are not demonstrated in the available imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “On the theme of boats, a pendulum depicting a small boat sailing on the water”
  • “Accompanied by a movement featuring fish motifs”
  • “The weights for this movement are included.”

Classification and Source Limitations

The piece is catalogued under the 19th-century period and attributed to the Napoleon III style by the dealer Antiquités Olivier Janet in Gennes, France. The primary material is listed as brass, and its state is reported by the seller as 'Condition of use'.

No specific maker, workshop mark, or precise year of manufacture within the 19th century is recorded in the source text. Furthermore, the internal mechanism driving the ship animation remains unverified, as internal access and technical diagrams are not provided.

Evidence for this section
  • “Period: 19th century”
  • “Style: Napoleon 3rd”
  • “Condition: Condition of use”
  • “Material: Brass”

Open research questions

  • What specific mechanical linkage inside the bob connects the rocking ship automation to the pendulum oscillation?
  • Does the unseen movement mentioned in the dealer listing bear any maker's stamps, serial numbers, or regional hallmarks identifying the Comtoise workshop?
  • What are the physical dimensions and total weight of this brass pendulum assembly?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Animated Comtoise Pendulum with Ship Theme
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Period19th century“Period: 19th century”
StyleNapoleon 3rd“Style: Napoleon 3rd”
MaterialBrass“Material: Brass”
ThemeBoats and sailing“On the theme of boats, a pendulum depicting a small boat sailing on the water”
Reference ID1830182“Reference (ID): 1830182”
Reported ConditionCondition of use“Condition: Condition of use”
Dealer LocationGennes, France“02 rue des luisettes Gennes 49350, France”

Visible details

  • Elongated repoussé brass stem decorated with oars, an anchor, and fish or dolphin ornamentation.
  • Circular pendulum bob framing a painted multi-layered relief scene of figures in sailing vessels against a blue and green background.
  • Threaded adjustment rod visible protruding from the bottom of the pendulum bob.

Research qualifications

  • The accompanying movement and weights mentioned in the source listing are not depicted in this image.
  • Operational state and mechanism behind the pendulum animation are not demonstrated in the photograph.

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Animated Pendulum Clock With A Comtoise Ship Theme

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 189802c9be

Terms in this record

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

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