Mysterious magnetic pendulum clock for the Ottoman market; France, c. 1880.

Mysterious magnetic pendulum clock for the Ottoman market; France, c. 1880.
Gilded bronze, brass, and white metal (spelter) with a green onyx base.
Features a magnetic movement, auxiliary dials, a thermometer, and a barometer.
Serviced. In perfect working order.
Signed: “A Pygmalion in Constantinople.”
Measurements: 35 x 35 x 16 cm.
This exceptional mystery clock, created in the late 19th century and signed on the dial by A. Pygmalion, is a piece that is as fascinating from a technical standpoint as it is from an aesthetic one. Made in Constantinople, it is part of a French production line intended for the refined Ottoman market, where luxury scientific and decorative objects enjoyed great prestige.
Freely inspired by Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin’s famous “aerial” clocks, this model incorporates an ingenious magnetic mechanism that lies at the heart of its mystery. A magnet discreetly drives the steel discs of the regulator, which in turn transmit the movement to the time-keeping mechanism hidden behind the dial, creating the illusion that the hands move without any visible connection. This type of invention, halfway between watchmaking and magic, reflects the spirit of wonder and technical sophistication characteristic of the era.
The clock is complemented by subsidiary thermometer and barometer dials, making it not only a decorative object but also a scientific instrument. This combination of functions underscores the nineteenth-century interest in integrating knowledge, precision, and beauty into a single object.
The rarity of the piece is further underscored by the scarcity of known documentation regarding this master watchmaker; however, there is record of the sale at Drouot of a singing-bird clock also signed by A. Pygmalion, suggesting a very limited and possibly exclusive production run. Everything indicates that this example may be a one-of-a-kind piece.
The clock has been carefully restored and its mechanism thoroughly serviced, ensuring its proper functioning and preservation.