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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Urn timepiece

French silvered and gilt brass urn-shaped timepiece with annular chapter rings

Partially verified

Catalogued as early 20th-century French, this timepiece is formed as an urn constructed from silvered and gilt brass. The silvered body is surmounted by a foliate finial on a detachable cover and fitted with reeded side handles above a leaf-cast socle. Mounted on a stepped square plinth, the movement indicates time via twin rotating enamel chapter rings, read against the tongue of a gilt serpent coiled around the socle and urn foot. The movement is wound through the detachable cover.

Front view of the urn-shaped timepiece showing the annular dials and coiled snake pointer
Front view of the urn-shaped timepiece showing the annular dials and coiled snake pointer — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Urn timepiece
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
61
Source-reported date
early 20th 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

Form and Case Construction

Catalogued as an early 20th-century French timepiece, the clock is designed in the form of an urn made of silvered and gilt brass. The silvered body features a foliate finial above a detachable cover and is flanked by reeded handles positioned over a leaf-cast socle.

The socle is mounted upon a stepped square plinth. Direct observation indicates that this tiered plinth is composed of white marble or stone bordered with gilt-brass egg-and-dart style moulding.

Evidence for this section
  • “An early 20th century French silvered and gilt brass urn shaped timepiece with annular chapter rings”
  • “the silvered urn body surmounted by a foliate finial and flanked by reeded handles on a leaf-cast socle, raised on a stepped square plinth”
  • “The urn rests on a tiered white marble or stone stepped plinth with gilt-brass egg-and-dart style moulding.”

Dial Indication and Movement Access

Time is shown by a gilt snake entwined around the foot of the urn, with its tongue serving as a pointer aimed at twin rotating enamel chapter rings. Visual observation confirms that the upper ring displays Arabic numerals for the minutes, while the lower ring presents Roman numerals for the hours.

According to the catalogue description, the movement is wound directly through the detachable cover at the top of the urn.

Evidence for this section
  • “the time indicated by a gilt snake entwined around the foot of the urn, its tongue pointing to the time on the twin rotating enamel chapter rings”
  • “Upper horizontal chapter ring displays Arabic numerals for minutes, while the lower ring displays Roman numerals for hours.”
  • “the movement wound through the detachable cover”

Saleroom Notice and Documentation Scope

Internal movement details—such as the escapement type, train layout, duration, and any maker stamps or serial numbers—are not recorded in the source text or visible in the catalogue photography.

A saleroom notice attached to the entry notes that the printed catalogue contained an erroneous illustration reference: "in the printed catalogue the illustration of this clock is incorrectly labelled as lot 62, however the web illustartionis correct."

Evidence for this section
  • “in the printed catalogue the illustration of this clock is incorrectly labelled as lot 62, however the web illustartionis correct.”

Open research questions

  • What movement caliber, escapement type, and run duration are housed within the silvered urn body?
  • Are any maker signatures, serial numbers, or foundry stamps present on the movement plates or inside the detachable cover?
  • Does the marble plinth retain any original base stamps or retailer markings?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French silvered and gilt brass urn-shaped timepiece with annular chapter rings
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Height22.5 cm (9 inches)“22.5cms (9ins) high.”
Case FormUrn shaped with foliate finial and reeded handles“the silvered urn body surmounted by a foliate finial and flanked by reeded handles on a leaf-cast socle”
Indication MethodGilt snake tongue pointing to twin rotating enamel chapter rings“the time indicated by a gilt snake entwined around the foot of the urn, its tongue pointing to the time on the twin rotating enamel chapter rings”
Winding AccessWound through detachable cover“the movement wound through the detachable cover”
Dimensions22.5 cm (9 inches) high“22.5cms (9ins) high.”
Auction ResultSold for £2,250 including premium“Sold for £2,250 inc. premium”

Visible details

  • A coiled gilt serpent wraps around the gilded pedestal, extending upwards so its tongue aligns with the chapter rings.
  • Upper horizontal chapter ring displays Arabic numerals for minutes, while the lower ring displays Roman numerals for hours.
  • The urn rests on a tiered white marble or stone stepped plinth with gilt-brass egg-and-dart style moulding.
  • Part of an adjacent ornate pierced gilt-metal object on a red base is visible to the left.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement caliber, escapement type, and maker marks are neither described nor visible.
  • Saleroom notice records that the printed catalogue illustration was mislabelled as lot 62, though the online illustration is correct.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : An early 20th century French silvered and gilt brass urn shaped timepiece with annular chapter rings

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8f207d7931

Terms in this record

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