A nostalgic trip back in time! This is an unusual and fairly rare rotary mystery clock made to look like a sundial. It is in all original, aged finishes. The ivory painted base has its original fleur-de-lis decal. The top is a brass finished steel with a solid copper chapter ring and central sun riveted on. These rotary cocks were invented by Herman F. Lux of the Lux Clock Manufacturing Company in Waterbury, Connecticut. Most of them were the "tape measure" style, with the chapter ring wrapped around the rotating top of the clock. The sundial clock can sit flat like a shelf clock or be hung on a wall. This design was patented in 1938.
Like the other rotary clocks, this one is not marked in minutes, but in five and fifteen minute increments with roman numerals at the hours. The single rotating pointer is styled like a sundial gnomon. This is a keywound mechanical clock with a brass movement and a folding winding key on the bottom.
Condition: The paint, originally a white with faux marble streaking is aged to ivory but is still mostly present and shiny with some minor paint loss, around the back hanging hole in particular. The fleur-de-lis decal actually serves a purpose, it marks the slot on the case top where the lid can be pried off. The bottom rim of the case has a couple of slightly flattened spots. The dial lid is brass plated steel finished with a lacquer coat. This finish is problematic on these clocks as corrosion can develop under the lacquer, and the thin brass plate is easily damaged. This one is in very good condition with a few small signs of corrosion under the lacquer. The copper sun and chapter ring have a mostly even age patina.
The brass movement is in excellent condition. It has been cleaned and serviced and is happily ticking and keeping time. Even so, this is a very old clock and may need a small spin-shake to start the balance wheel ticking.
This clock is about 5" in diameter and about 4" tall.