Probably by Alexandre Nicolas Théroude, with 3 ¾-inch (9,5 cm) enameled Roman dial, two-train movement stamped "J.J.", striking hours and halves on bell, four-air key-wind cartel cylinder musical movement No. 5139 and two-cup magician automaton standing at draped table in salon setting. The magician with carved wood/papier-mâché head, original paint, fixed brown glass eyes, articulated mouth, silk moustache and beard, original elaborate blue satin Turkish costume with pale-gold lining, cream silk shirt, cummerbund and upturned slippers trimmed with soutache braid and Dresden paper. With large going-barrel motor driving 3-inch (7,5 cm) wood cylinder with brass projections, six brass levers and a paddle for changing the objects under the cups. In giltwood and gesso frame with decoration of trailing roses in the arch, figure 12 in. (30 cm), frame ht. 34 x wd. 29 in. (87 x 74 cm), with pendulum and two keys, clock not tested. Two chips on dial, some restoration on corners of frame, wallpaper in salon possibly replaced, otherwise good original working condition. – The magician turns and nods his head, moves his mouth and lifts each cup in turn to disclose a seven-step sequence of changing items: dice, colored balls in different formations, silver balls and flowers. The clock, musical movement and automaton all function independently. – Literature: Chapuis & Droz, "Automata, a Historical & Technological Study", figure 315, p. 259, for a similar piece. – A superb, early automaton magician clock.