A rare gilt, bronze-mounted porcelain clock will highlight the sale of the Safford Collection at Freeman's in Philadelphia on September 25.
The clock, which carries an $80,000-120,000 estimate, was manufactured in Germany by the Berlin Konigliche Porzellan Manufaktur (KPM) circa 1895 and is believed to be one of only six in existence.
One of the six was given as a gift to Queen Victoria by her nephew Kaiser Wilhelm II, and was placed in Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight, just off the English mainland, where it resides to this day.
The clock was produced after a design by Alexander Kips, artistic director of the KPM from 1886-1908.
 The clock is one of only six in the world |
The auction also features a pair of large bronze sculptures by the artist Charles Crozatier, depicting Jupiter victorious over the Titans, that carry an estimate of $55,000-80,000.
A Russian imperial handpainted porcelain urn, made in the Tsar's factory during the Nicholas I period around 1826, will also appear. Similar urns have sold for up to $1.2m in the past.
Barbara and Robert Safford amassed the collection, comprised of lavish European antiques, for their home of Vaux Hill, a palatial mansion in Pennsylvania.
Taking inspiration from the castles and stately homes they visited, they filled the 21 rooms of their mansion with art and furniture fit for royalty.
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