Pricey Antique Building Replicas & Architectural Models

While I’m more comfortable acquiring building replicas in the $20-$30 range, have you ever dreamed of owning large and expensive ‘miniatures?’ A French Gothic Cathedral Clock, pictured above on the left, is from the 1830's and made by clock maker Japy Freres in solid brass & bronze.  Mounted on a veined green marble sculpted base, it measures a towering 36 1/2" high x 20" wide x 14 1/4" deep. This one is being offered on eBay for opening bid of US $12,500. Also offered on eBay for $14,000, is a  “fine and rare early 19th century gothic clock showing in miniature the West side of Reims Cathedral: circa 1830-40. An identical clock is on display in the Bishop's palace at Namur. On a rosewood base (which contains the striking gong and perhaps originally held a music box). Base size: 4" tall x 17.5" wide and 8.5" deep. Clock size is 15.75" wide x 7.5" deep and 24" tall. An identical form was sold by Chrisites on July, 20, 1977. For $750,000., you could own a museum-quality architectural model of Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy.  Artist Attilio Savoia carved the many intricate details in the arches, filigrees, narrow canals of this city replica using birch, beech and cirmolo woods. Measuring 8 ft. x 12 ft., the 1:100 scale model of St. Mark’s was finished in August 1963 after nine years of work. This room-sized model had been on exhibit throughout the U.S.A., Canada, and Europe (1964-1986), The Art Institute of Chicago (Oct. 12, 1985 - Jan. 20, 1986), and The Dallas Museum of Art (March 1 - May 4, 1986). Previously, I wrote about a Grand Tour column that sold for $176,000 and other replica that have sold for big money.