The incredible rare clock collection of Dr. William Thomas will headline Cottone's March 31 auction

GENESEO, N.Y. - March 10, 2023 - PRLog -- Cottone Auctions' Important Timepieces & Decorative Arts auction, on Friday, March 31^st, will feature the incredible collection of Dr. William Thomas of Naples, Florida, showcasing 50 of the finest examples of French and European clock masterpieces. The auction, starting promptly at 12 o'clock Eastern time, features 220 choice lots.

Both rarity and condition were important to Dr. Thomas. Highlighting his collection, assembled over a period of 50 years, is an extremely rare Raingo orrery clock and music box, with original matching pedestal. The clock and music box are in fine running order with beautiful patina and gilt bronze mounts, in remarkably original condition, possibly one of the finest known examples.

Most known examples, like the present clock, are in the form of a gilt mounted, four column rotunda, veneered with mahogany or amboyna. Few rest on a musical base, playing on the hour or at will. A well-known example, now at Windsor Castle was purchased by King George IV in 1824.

The orrery clock, signed Raingo A. Paris, circa 1820, has an exceptional Amboyna burl veneer and gilt bronze Neoclassical case in the form of a classical rotunda temple. It is supported on a round base that is set on a plinth with cylinder musical movement (est. $150,000-$250,000).

Another masterpiece from Dr. Thomas' collection is an exceptional Louis XVI Regulator with equation of time and remontoire, clockmaker Robert Robin, Horloger du Roi, renowned enameller Joseph Coteau and case attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Paris, circa 1785, the quintessence of Parisian luxury horology during the reign of Louis XVI. Such clocks were made for a handful of important connoisseurs, often people who were close to the royal family.

The regulator being offered features a stunning dial by Joseph Coteau (1740-1801) who is regarded as the greatest enameller of all time, supplying dials for the most eminent horologists. Like the orrery clock, it was purchased from Jim Cipra. It stands a little over 15 inches tall and is is in running condition, with an estimate of $100,000-$150,000.

Previews will be held by appointment in Cottone Auctions' gallery, located at 120 Court Street in Geneseo, N.Y. Online bidding will be facilitated by CottoneAuctions.com, Invaluable.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Register to bid at live.cottoneauctions.com. Telephone and absentee bids are accepted. To place bids, you may call the Cottone Auctions gallery at (585) 243-1000.

For more information about Cottone Auctions' Friday, March 31^st auction, please visit www.cottoneauctions.com; or call (585) 243-1000.