374 - Antoine REDIER (1817–1882)

Antoine REDIER (1817–1882) Enameled globe clock depicting the various continents, oceans, nations, and cities; a brass equatorial ring indicating the hours on twenty-four enameled plates (two sets of twelve) and the minutes via engraving; a blued steel hand; indicator-weight movement (Redier system), spring-winding mechanism, brass baluster base resting on an octagonal base of red griotte marble. Inventor’s monogram “A/RE.” Circa 1870. H: 19 cm; D: 8.5 cm (globe) (key missing; movement untested and not guaranteed; a few slight scratches on the brass; a small piece of detached enamel (number 3) included with the lot) Bibliography: - “Moving Sphere by Mr. A. Redier,” *La Nature*, Journal of Science and Its Applications to the Arts and Industry, Illustrated Weekly Journal, 1883, No. 533, pp. 191–192, figs. 1–3. Antoine Redier (1817–1882), inventor, engineer, and clockmaker, trained in part under Henri Robert; throughout his career, he produced a large number of inventions, notably becoming the first, in 1847, to file a patent for an adjustable mechanical alarm clock. Among his other inventions are the eight-day clocks. The clock on display, which operates based on the gradual descent of a weight under the force of gravity, is one of his most spectacular creations.