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Lot Essay
This exquisite three-dimensional mystery table clock is not only a sculptural work of art but also a horological masterpiece.
The mystery tourbillon featured in this clock was invented by Brun of Paris, based upon Robert-Houdin’s invention of a hidden revolving glass plate.
For the present clock, the tourbillon carriage is fixed into that plate, presenting the illusion that the tourbillon carriage is running without any visible means of power or suspension, as if it were floating in mid-air. The power is in fact transmitted through a glass plate mounted with teeth on its periphery which is in turn set between the concave rock crystal dial plates, the dual-axis one-minute steel tourbillon carriage is fixed to a frame within the glass plate, the carriage revolving on the second axis once in fifteen minutes.
Richly adorned with precious stones, the clock is set with 483 diamonds with a total weight of 24.35 carats, 28 rubies totalling 3.89 carats and 33 emeralds totalling 11.5 carats, the gold weight is 280 gr., and 1700 gr. of silver, as confirmed by the Certificate of Origin.
The polar bear is made of Kakholong or Cacholong, also known as Kalmuck Agate, a form of Opal although it is often mistaken for Agate or Chalcedony. Of milky white colour it is used for carving of sculptures, cameos and others.
Only three examples of this clock were ever made, the present being the first of these exclusive pieces. The two others were made for the prestigious London jeweler Asprey and feature black bears, rendering this "Polar Bear" unique.
The mystery tourbillon featured in this clock was invented by Brun of Paris, based upon Robert-Houdin’s invention of a hidden revolving glass plate.
For the present clock, the tourbillon carriage is fixed into that plate, presenting the illusion that the tourbillon carriage is running without any visible means of power or suspension, as if it were floating in mid-air. The power is in fact transmitted through a glass plate mounted with teeth on its periphery which is in turn set between the concave rock crystal dial plates, the dual-axis one-minute steel tourbillon carriage is fixed to a frame within the glass plate, the carriage revolving on the second axis once in fifteen minutes.
Richly adorned with precious stones, the clock is set with 483 diamonds with a total weight of 24.35 carats, 28 rubies totalling 3.89 carats and 33 emeralds totalling 11.5 carats, the gold weight is 280 gr., and 1700 gr. of silver, as confirmed by the Certificate of Origin.
The polar bear is made of Kakholong or Cacholong, also known as Kalmuck Agate, a form of Opal although it is often mistaken for Agate or Chalcedony. Of milky white colour it is used for carving of sculptures, cameos and others.
Only three examples of this clock were ever made, the present being the first of these exclusive pieces. The two others were made for the prestigious London jeweler Asprey and feature black bears, rendering this "Polar Bear" unique.