41.       $7500

French “mystery clock”, ca. 1910.  A 28-inch bronze statue of a winged woman holding a hanging ball clock which rotates rather than swings.  The clock movement in the hanging ball is suspended on a wire mechanism that somehow converts the spring tension and escapement to a rotary motion.  I took the back off but could not see how it works. And unfortunately, it is not working well.  It wants to rotate but the gentle clicking inside from the escapement is not maintained. It should be possible to get it running by someone with experience with these clocks.  The casting is high quality and in excellent shape, with different bronze colors for the skin of the mother and child vs the clothing and other parts.  I see no defects or damage, although the hour hand has been repaired.  The sculpture is signed “Rancoulet” (Ernest Rancoulet, 1870-1915) on the back and on the nameplate on the base, with the title Tresor de la Terre (Treasure of the Earth) as the original sculpture by this French artist.  It sits on a wooden base.  This piece was owned by Carroll Horton for 28 years.  An impressive piece. $7500-$15000.