Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Automata mantel clock

French Charles X Patinated and Gilt Bronze 'Fountain' Automata Clock

Partially verified

This French Charles X patinated and gilt bronze automata clock, dated by the source to circa 1825, features a gilt dial with Roman numerals set between two gilt dolphins surmounting an architectural pillar. The patinated bronze body depicts a fountain niche with a gilt river god mask above a silvered shell cistern flanked by bullrush appliques, resting on a moulded plinth raised on bun feet. Timekeeping is provided by a single-train chain fusée watch movement with a balance wheel, with the backplate signed 'Breguet A Paris'. A separate single-barrel movement, wound from the rear and operated by a lever, originally drove a rotating spiral glass rod simulating a water spout, which the source notes is lacking.

Front view of the patinated and gilt bronze fountain automata clock on stepped plinth
Front view of the patinated and gilt bronze fountain automata clock on stepped plinth — Lyon & Turnbull. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.lyonandturnbull.com
Category
Clock · Automata mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Breguet A Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
480
Source-reported date
circa 1825
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

Case Construction and Decorative Iconography

The clock is styled as an architectural fountain. It features a patinated bronze niche, a gilt river god mask, and a silvered shell cistern accented by bullrush appliques. The structure sits on a moulded, stepped plinth with a central applique and is raised on bun feet.

A circular gilt dial featuring Roman numerals is positioned at the top of the structure, situated between two gilt dolphin motifs.

Evidence for this section
  • “supported by an architectural fountain niche with a gilt river god mask issuing a rotating spiral glass rod water spout (lacking) into a silvered shell cistern flanked bullrush appliques”
  • “on a moulded stepped plinth with central applique, raised on bun feet”
  • “the gilt dial with Roman numerals, the dial held between two gilt dolphins”

Movement and Automata Mechanism

Timekeeping is provided by a single-train chain fusée movement with a balance wheel. The automata mechanism is a separate single-barrel movement that is wound from the rear and engaged via a lever.

The mechanism was designed to actuate a rotating spiral glass rod intended to simulate a water spout; the source states that this glass rod is lacking.

Evidence for this section
  • “the single train chain fusée timepiece watch movement with balance wheel”
  • “the glass rotating rod with a single barrel movement wound from the back, operated by lever to the size”
  • “rotating spiral glass rod water spout (lacking)”

Provenance and Attribution

The source dates the clock to circa 1825. A signature reading 'Breguet A Paris' is reported to be present on the movement backplate.

The accuracy or authenticity of the signature in relation to the Breguet workshop is not verified by current documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “CIRCA 1825”
  • “the backplate signed ‘Breguet A Paris’”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement's technical configuration align with known output from the Breguet workshop during the 1825 period?
  • Are there diagnostic indicators on the backplate or movement architecture to support or refute the provided signature?
  • Is there remaining internal hardware that confirms the intended installation method for the missing glass rod component?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Charles X Patinated and Gilt Bronze 'Fountain' Automata Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case designPatinated and gilt bronze fountain niche with dolphins, river god mask, and shell cistern“the dial held between two gilt dolphins, supported by an architectural fountain niche with a gilt river god mask issuing a rotating spiral glass rod water spout (lacking) into a silvered shell cistern flanked bullrush appliques”
Movement signatureBreguet A Paris“the backplate signed ‘Breguet A Paris’”
Timepiece movementSingle-train chain fusée movement with balance wheel“the single train chain fusée timepiece watch movement with balance wheel”
Automaton mechanismSingle barrel movement wound from the back and operated by lever“the glass rotating rod with a single barrel movement wound from the back, operated by lever to the size”
Dimensions31.5cm high, 11cm wide, 12cm deep“31.5cm high, 11cm wide, 12cm deep”

Visible details

  • Patinated dark bronze tower-style case mounted with gilded appliques on a stepped plinth supported by gilt bun feet.
  • Central gilded river god mask with open mouth positioned directly above a fluted shell basin.
  • Circular gilded clock dial surmounting the structure, flanked by twin fish or dolphin motifs.

Research qualifications

  • The rotating spiral glass rod automata water spout is explicitly noted as lacking.
  • Internal movements and the backplate signature are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • The signature 'Breguet A Paris' is source-recorded from the backplate and does not imply verified Breguet workshop authentication.

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

Consulted source

FRENCH CHARLES X PATINATED AND GILT BRONZE 'FOUNTAIN' AUTOMATA CLOCK CIRCA 1825 | 12 November 2025

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record d055a5e93f

Terms in this record

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