A.R. Guilmet à Paris, No. 4265, 740 mm, circa 1880

An ornamental and exceptionally attractive gilt "Pendule Mysterieuse", with marble base and brass movement, rare "crank and stirrup" escapement and hour strike

André Romain Guilmet was, among other things, famous for his mystery clock, which he received a patent for in 1867 (Brevet no. 783110). An apparently stationary figure is holding a pendulum that swings back and forth - yet to the observer the pendulum swings for no apparent reason. The figure actually stands on a circular plate that moves imperceptibly - the movement is just enough to keep the pendulum moving but is not visible to the viewer. This pendule mysterieuse has a transparent dial to make the movement visible.