A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU AND GLASS STRIKING MYSTERY CLOCK

The present clock is from his 'Fourth Series' of Mystery Clocks notable by the inclusion of a minute hand for the first time. The vertical clear glass column is formed of two glass tubes, an outer stationary tube supporting the dial and an inner rotating glass tube providing drive. It engages with a delicate and thin wheel concealed by the dial surround which is cemented to the edge of a circular and very thin glass plate and thus revolves with it whilst a further stationary plate in front displays the numerals.

A striking mystery clock of related design by Robert-Houdin was sold Christie's London, 15 September 2004, lot 6 (£50,190).

A very similar example is illustrated in Derek Roberts, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy clocks, Schiffer, 1999, pp.219-232, fig. 19-12 A-B.
Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin (1805-1871) was the son of a watchmaker. A fascination for mechanical objects led to an apprenticeship with his cousin Jean Martin Robert. After working with his father-in-law in Paris (who had himself worked with A.L.Breguet) he began a series of automaton clocks in the late 1830s. Numerous inventions and awards at the great exhibitions of the period followed together with performances on stage of his latest works. As his popularity grew he travelled extensively, performing before Queen Victoria and Napoleon III.