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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Carriage clock

Tiffany & Co. 'Night and Day' silver and coppered carriage clock

Partially verified

This American carriage clock, catalogued under the title 'Night and Day', features a spot-hammered silver and coppered case produced by Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1883, with design attributed to Charles Osborne. The front of the case is embossed and chased in relief with a crowing rooster boasting copper accents beneath the dial, while a bat and flowing lines surmount the upper perimeter. The circular white dial displays stylized Arabic numerals and bears the Tiffany & Co. mark. According to Sotheby's catalogue description, the clock houses a French movement by Drocourt, is numbered 7643-7302 on the base, and features a monogrammed rear door.

Three-quarter front view of the Tiffany & Co. 'Night and Day' silver and coppered carriage clock
Three-quarter front view of the Tiffany & Co. 'Night and Day' silver and coppered carriage clock — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution
Tiffany & Co., design attributed to Charles Osborne; movement by Drocourt
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1206
Source-reported date
circa 1883
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
7643-7302

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 Scheme

The carriage clock features an upright rectangular silver case defined by a spot-hammered textured surface and rests on curled scroll feet. Anchored to shaped hinges on the top plate is a swing handle, complemented on the upper surface by spiral pearling. The front of the case is embossed and chased with a bat above the dial and a rooster with copper accents beneath.

Visual inspection confirms that the lower section depicts a rooster head with coppered comb and wattle, while the upper perimeter features a bat alongside radiating, flowing tendril-like motifs. According to the Sotheby's catalogue entry, the back of the clock features a hinged door engraved with a script monogram "AHPS".

Evidence for this section
  • “the front embossed and chased with a bat and rooster with copper accents”
  • “the top with spiral pearling, the swing handle attached to shaped hinges”
  • “the back with hinged door engraved with script monogram AHPS”
  • “Rectangular upright silver case with spot-hammered texture, resting on curled scroll feet.”
  • “Embossed and chased rooster head with coppered wattle and comb beneath the lower dial rim.”
  • “Upper dial arch decorated in low relief with a bat and radiating, flowing tendril-like motifs.”

Dial and Movement

The time is displayed on a circular white dial with black numerals, with visible printing reading "TIFFANY & CO. / NEW YORK". Sotheby's condition report notes a hairline crack and a chip located on the dial between the center and 11, as well as a replaced glass.

The internal mechanism is not visible in the primary photograph, but the auction description lists it as a French movement by Drocourt, accompanied by a key. The base of the case is marked and numbered 7643-7302, with modern screws noted underneath in the condition notes.

Evidence for this section
  • “plain white dial with black numerals”
  • “Circular white dial with dark stylized Arabic numerals and hands, marked 'TIFFANY & CO. / NEW YORK'.”
  • “dial with hair crack and chip between center and 11, replaced glass”
  • “French movement by Drocourt, with key”
  • “marked on base and numbered 7643-7302”
  • “modern screws underneath”

Design Attribution and Provenance Notes

The dating of circa 1883 and the attribution to Charles Osborne reflect the auction house's catalogue analysis rather than direct maker signatures. Sotheby's attributes the design to Osborne based on the pearling technique and waved lines characteristic of his work within Tiffany & Co.'s Japanesque silver output of the 1880s.

The auction lot notes cite John Loring's 1987 publication, Tiffany's 150 Years (p. 114). Reported condition issues include minor dings to the base and abrasion on the coppered surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “the design attributed to Charles Osborne, Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1883”
  • “This clock features the pearling technique and waved lines that is characteristic of his work.”
  • “John Loring, Tiffany's 150 Years , 1987, p. 114”
  • “minor dings to base”
  • “some abrasion to coppered surface”

Open research questions

  • What specific production or order records at Tiffany & Co. correspond to the base number 7643-7302?
  • Does the French movement by Drocourt retain an internal stamped serial number or trademark visible upon opening the rear door?
  • Can the engraved monogram 'AHPS' on the rear door be linked to a specific client in Tiffany & Co.'s sales records circa 1883?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Tiffany & Co. 'Night and Day' silver and coppered carriage clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MarkingsMarked on base and numbered 7643-7302“marked on base and numbered 7643-7302”
Movement MakerDrocourt“French movement by Drocourt”
Design AttributionCharles Osborne“the design attributed to Charles Osborne”
Case Materials and DecorationSilver and copper spot-hammered case chased with a bat and rooster“silver, copper spot-hammered surface, the front embossed and chased with a bat and rooster with copper accents”
Rear Door MonogramScript monogram AHPS“the back with hinged door engraved with script monogram AHPS”
Included AccessoriesKey“with key”
Literature ReferenceJohn Loring, Tiffany's 150 Years, 1987, p. 114“John Loring, Tiffany's 150 Years , 1987, p. 114”

Visible details

  • Rectangular upright silver case with spot-hammered texture, resting on curled scroll feet.
  • Hinged swing handle fixed to the top panel by shaped mounts.
  • Circular white dial with dark stylized Arabic numerals and hands, marked 'TIFFANY & CO. / NEW YORK'.
  • Embossed and chased rooster head with coppered wattle and comb beneath the lower dial rim.
  • Upper dial arch decorated in low relief with a bat and radiating, flowing tendril-like motifs.

Research qualifications

  • Design authorship to Charles Osborne is an attribution by the auction house based on stylistic analysis, not a signed maker mark.
  • The internal French movement by Drocourt, the rear engraved monogram door, and the base numbering are not visible in the front photograph.
  • Condition notes from the source report modern screws beneath, minor base dings, replaced glass, surface abrasion to copper elements, and a hairline crack and chip on the dial between center and 11.

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

Consulted source

(#1206) "Night and Day": An American silver and coppered carriage clock, the design attributed to Charles Osborne, Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1883

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6b0c931059

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

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