Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Automaton mantel clock

Louis-Philippe Ormolu 'L'Escamoteur Chinois' Automaton Clock

Partially verified

This Louis-Philippe gilt-bronze automaton clock portrays a Chinese magician performing a cup-and-ball conjuring trick atop a draped table. Designed by Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin within the Parisian workshop of Jacques-François Houdin, the case features a removable table curtain revealing an engraved maker's plaque dated 1836. Below, the main case houses a circular gilt dial signed 'J.F. HOUDIN' with Roman numerals and winding apertures, flanked by foliate reliefs and supported on an elaborate dragon-form plinth base. A hidden spinning disc system below the table raises surprises when the figure lifts the cups.

Front view of the Louis-Philippe ormolu 'L'Escamoteur Chinois' automaton clock
Front view of the Louis-Philippe ormolu 'L'Escamoteur Chinois' automaton clock — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Clock · Automaton mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin / Jacques-François Houdin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
335
Source-reported date
1836
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

Object Description and Identification

This clock is modeled as a Chinese magician performing a cup-and-ball trick. It is positioned on a plinth base centered by an ormolu dial signed 'J.F. HOUDIN' and is supported by dragon-form feet.

The object features a removable curtain at the front of the table which conceals an engraved plaque stating: 'INVENTÉ ET ÉXECUTÉ, A LA FABRIQUE D'HORLOGERIE DE / J.F. HOUDIN, RUE VIELLE DU TEMPLE No. 78 A PARIS. / 1836'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Modeled as a Chinese magician performing a cup-and-ball trick, on a plinth base centered by a dial signed 'J.F. HOUDIN' and raised on dragon-form feet”
  • “the curtain at the front of the magician's table removable, opening to a plaque engraved 'INVENTÉ ET ÉXECUTÉ, A LA FABRIQUE D'HORLOGERIE DE / J.F. HOUDIN, RUE VIELLE DU TEMPLE No. 78 A PARIS. / 1836'”

Mechanism and Operation

The automaton movement utilizes a disc system located beneath the magician's table. As the system spins, it elevates two of sixteen discs to the surface level, creating the effect of a surprise appearing under the cups.

According to the source, the automaton performs the magic trick, although the mechanism is noted to regularly pause, requiring a manual nudge to resume, and would benefit from professional tuning.

Evidence for this section
  • “As it spins, it raises two of sixteen discs to the level of the table, so that each time the figure raises the cups in his hands, a new surprise appears beneath as if by magic.”
  • “the automaton magician performs his magic trick, although the mechanism regularly pauses and requires a gentle manual nudge to resume; the video attached to the lot depicts a longer duration of non-stop operating than is typical; will benefit from expert tuning and adjustment.”

Reported Condition

The clock is reported to have minor surface scratches, casting inconsistencies, light oxidation, and rubbing to the ormolu. The front appears to have a brighter tone than the sides and recessed areas.

The reverse features a hinged bezel that lacks the glass cover. Additionally, two of the 'surprises' that appear under the cups are described as detached but retained with the lot.

Evidence for this section
  • “The ormolu with some minor surface scratches, slight casting inconsistencies, light oxidation and rubbing, as to be expected; the front with a brighter tone than the sides and recessed areas, presumably as a result of cleaning.”
  • “The reverse with a hinged bezel, lacking the glass that would cover the opening to the movement.”
  • “Two of the 'surprises' that appear under the magician's cups are off, but retained.”

Open research questions

  • What is the physical composition of the sixteen internal discs mentioned in the mechanism description?
  • Do the 'small solder repairs' noted in the condition report indicate original construction techniques or later maintenance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Louis-Philippe Ormolu 'L'Escamoteur Chinois' Automaton Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignatureJ.F. HOUDIN“centered by a dial signed 'J.F. HOUDIN'”
Plaque InscriptionINVENTÉ ET ÉXECUTÉ, A LA FABRIQUE D'HORLOGERIE DE / J.F. HOUDIN, RUE VIELLE DU TEMPLE No. 78 A PARIS. / 1836“opening to a plaque engraved 'INVENTÉ ET ÉXECUTÉ, A LA FABRIQUE D'HORLOGERIE DE / J.F. HOUDIN, RUE VIELLE DU TEMPLE No. 78 A PARIS. / 1836'”
Dimensions17 3/4 in. high, 12 1/2 in. wide, 7 1/2 in. deep“17 3 ⁄ 4 in. (45.5 cm.) high, 12 1 ⁄ 2 in. (32 cm.) wide, 7 1 ⁄ 2 in. (19.5 cm.) deep”
Movement MechanismSpinning disc raising two of sixteen discs“As it spins, it raises two of sixteen discs to the level of the table, so that each time the figure raises the cups in his hands, a new surprise appears beneath as if by magic.”
Dimensions17 3/4 in. (45.5 cm.) high, 12 1/2 in. (32 cm.) wide, 7 1/2 in. (19.5 cm.) deep“17 3 ⁄ 4 in. (45.5 cm.) high, 12 1 ⁄ 2 in. (32 cm.) wide, 7 1 ⁄ 2 in. (19.5 cm.) deep”
ProvenanceAcquired from the London Antique Clock Centre, 2002“Acquired from the London Antique Clock Centre, 2002.”

Visible details

  • Gilt-bronze figure of a Chinese magician holding cups above a textile-patterned draped table
  • Circular ormolu dial with Roman hour numerals and two key-winding arbors
  • Flanking acanthus scroll and bird reliefs flanking the dial
  • Base supported on scrolled feet terminating in dragon or grotesque beast heads

Research qualifications

  • The internal automaton mechanism and table interior are not visible in this primary photograph.
  • The rear movement and lack of bezel glass reported in the condition report cannot be verified from this frontal angle.

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

Consulted source

A LOUIS-PHILIPPE ORMOLU 'L'ESCAMOTEUR CHINOIS' AUTOMATON CLOCK, BY JEAN-EUGENE ROBERT-HOUDIN, IN THE WORKSHOP OF JACQUES-FRANÇOIS HOUDIN, DATED 1836 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 8353c54078

Terms in this record

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