Lot Essay
Signed by Cartier, No. 2055
For similar clocks see:
Christie's New York, October 14, 1980, Lot 192
Retrospective Louis Cartier, New York, 1976, Exhibit no. 99
Le Temps de Cartier, Barracca, Negretti & Nencini, Wrist International, Milan, 1989, ill. p. 99
Cartier, Jeweler Extraordinary, Hans Nadelhoffer, Harry N. Abrams, New York, 1984, pp. 251-2
Inspired by the pendules mysterieuses of the nineteenth century clockmakers, Maurice Coulet became known as maker of the famous series of mystery clocks for Cartier. Based on an optical illusion, the hands appear to float while the base houses the movement. The first of the mystery clocks was the Model A which works on a double axle system and of which the present clock is an example. A limited number of the Model A mystery clocks was produced. The first example was completed in 1913 and sold to J.P Morgan, a later one going to Queen Mary
For similar clocks see:
Christie's New York, October 14, 1980, Lot 192
Retrospective Louis Cartier, New York, 1976, Exhibit no. 99
Le Temps de Cartier, Barracca, Negretti & Nencini, Wrist International, Milan, 1989, ill. p. 99
Cartier, Jeweler Extraordinary, Hans Nadelhoffer, Harry N. Abrams, New York, 1984, pp. 251-2
Inspired by the pendules mysterieuses of the nineteenth century clockmakers, Maurice Coulet became known as maker of the famous series of mystery clocks for Cartier. Based on an optical illusion, the hands appear to float while the base houses the movement. The first of the mystery clocks was the Model A which works on a double axle system and of which the present clock is an example. A limited number of the Model A mystery clocks was produced. The first example was completed in 1913 and sold to J.P Morgan, a later one going to Queen Mary