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Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century
Sold by Bushells Antiques
sold SA1164788
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Bushells Antiques

Bushells Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
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Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century

19th century
Sold 15 October 2026 · Bushells Antiques
This “Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century” found a buyer.

It was listed by Bushells Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

Long French Mystery Globe Clock – 19th Century

A fascinating and elegant 19th-century French mystery globe clock, notable for its refined construction and optical illusion of movement. Suspended from a decorative gilt-mounted support, the spherical dial appears to swing effortlessly from side to side—with no visible driving mechanism—capturing the imagination in the tradition of 19th-century horological innovation.

The gilt globe features applied numerals and pierced gilt hands, with time regulated by a gridiron pendulum and counterbalanced bob. The eight-day movement is cleverly wound through the dial, maintaining the seamless mystery aesthetic. The entire presentation is both mechanically ingenious and artistically captivating.

Item Details:

Origin: France

Period: 19th Century

Type: Mystery globe clock

Mechanism: Eight-day timepiece, wound through the dial

Features: Gridiron pendulum with counterbalanced bob, swinging motion with no visible drive

Dial: Applied gilt numerals with pierced hands

Height: 26 inches (approx. 66 cm)

Condition: (Insert e.g., original condition / Restored / working)

A rare and visually striking piece—an exemplary fusion of decorative art and horological ingenuity,

Date of Manufacture

Bushells Antiques has dated this French Mystery Globe Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1164788
Dealers Notes

Opening hours:

Monday - Sunday 8.30 - 21.00 Seven Days.

By appointment only.

UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, FREE DELIVERY TO MAINLAND UK

.

DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS : All items purchased from Bushell's Antiques are covered under the UK Distance Selling Regulations, which give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 7 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less RETURN transport costs.

We are happy to accept PayPal payment, bank transfers or cheques

All items will be reserved for you while we wait for payment.

Description
Long French Mystery Globe Clock – 19th Century
“
A fascinating and elegant 19th-century French mystery globe clock, notable for its refined construction and optical illusion of movement.
Bushells Antiques

Suspended from a decorative gilt-mounted support, the spherical dial appears to swing effortlessly from side to side—with no visible driving mechanism—capturing the imagination in the tradition of 19th-century horological innovation.

fig 1. A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob.
fig 1. Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century

The gilt globe features applied numerals and pierced gilt hands, with time regulated by a gridiron pendulum and counterbalanced bob. The eight-day movement is cleverly wound through the dial, maintaining the seamless mystery aesthetic. The entire presentation is both mechanically ingenious and artistically captivating.

fig 2. A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob.
fig 2. Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century

Item Details:

Origin: France

Period: 19th Century

Type: Mystery globe clock

Mechanism: Eight-day timepiece, wound through the dial

Features: Gridiron pendulum with counterbalanced bob, swinging motion with no visible drive

fig 3. A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob.
fig 3. Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century

Dial: Applied gilt numerals with pierced hands

Height: 26 inches (approx. 66 cm)

Condition: (Insert e.g., original condition / Restored / working)

A rare and visually striking piece—an exemplary fusion of decorative art and horological ingenuity,

Date of Manufacture

Bushells Antiques has dated this French Mystery Globe Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1164788
Bushells Antiques
Bushells Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020

Fine art, porcelain, jewellery, silver, clocks, pictures, oriental objects d’art and furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Bushells Antiques Profile Page

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A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. SOLD15 OCT 26
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Archive I A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. SOLD15 OCT 26

Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century

Archive II A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View II
Archive III A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View IX
Archive X A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View X
Archive XI A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View XI
Archive XII A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Bushells Antiques

Bushells Antiques
Telephone 0800 049 6228
Location
Westminster
London
WC2H
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bushellsantiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 282
Items Sold 550
Bushells Antiques
Bushells Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Westminster, London, WC2H, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bushellsantiques
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
282
Sold
550
A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob.
Long French Mystery Globe Clock - 19th Century
Ref: SA1164788
A 19th-century French mystery clock with a dark blue spherical globe dial, gilt numerals, and a long steel gridiron pendulum terminating in a lower globe bob.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectClocks
  • Period19th century
  • Style19th Century French
  • MaterialBrass, Steel, Enamel
  • ColourDark Blue and Gold
  • MotifsSpherical globe dial, gridiron pendulum, ribbon bow finial, compound weight bob

This nineteenth-century French mystery clock is a striking horological piece featuring a spherical dark blue globe dial with applied gilt numerals, pierced hands, and a ribbon bow finial. Suspended from a decorative gilt-brass mount, the clock incorporates a long steel and brass gridiron pendulum with a compound weight bob shaped as a smaller matching blue and gilt globe terminating in a pointed finial. The materials comprise dark blue enamel, polished brass, and steel components. Measuring 66 cm in height, the piece is designed for placement on a narrow wall space in a study, hallway, or drawing room, where its unusual swinging mechanism and vertical pendulum design can be admired. The slim format makes it practical for vertical display in compact architectural areas.

FAQs

A French mystery clock is a timepiece designed so that the movement driving the hands appears concealed or disconnected from the dial, creating an optical illusion of self-sustained motion.

These timepieces were typically constructed using gilt brass, cast bronze, steel gridiron rods, and enamelled or painted metal globes for the dials and pendulum weights.

Authentic period examples feature hand-fitted mechanical components, heavy cast brass trim with original gilding, hand-painted numerals, and compound or gridiron pendulums.

Position the clock on a narrow wall or above a console table to highlight its vertical silhouette, allowing its kinetic form to serve as a sculptural focal point.

Dust the exterior gently with a soft dry cloth, avoid chemical polishes that strip original surface oxidisation or gilding, and ensure the mechanical movement is serviced periodically by a qualified horologist.
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