Okay, one more.

[Bill Kibbel]

This isn't my pic, but this is original to, and is still in, an 1893 Queen Ann. It has 2 functions.

[kurt]

Butler bell & wake up call system?

[mgbinspect]

Well, I'll take a stab at it. Assuming that all three items are part of the system and further assuming that is a quad outlet?

It's a clock and timer that energizes and cuts off the outlets below?

[StevenT]

Are all items in the picture part of one system? What is the history of the building? B&B, Hotel? Got a bigger picture? Are what appear to be wires @ sides of the "timepiece" related to the timepiece/system?

[StevenT]

I might guess that the larger "timepiece" with the "dials" controls "wakeup" bells in remote locations. I see three different types of "dials"

The bell below might be a way to receive a message from the "remote" locations, but how would one know which remote location was responding(number of rings?)? Unless the remote location was a single location... as a master bedroom, or a front door.

The quad looking plate below? Without a closer look, I could guess no better than a quad outlet cover... just as it appears.

[RobC]

I would guess that it would be located near the kitchen/butler pantry.

Each rectangular bell represents a room with an individual sound to summon for assistance, food etc.

The large dial might be a clock.

The lower round bell might be the front door chime.

Whatever it is, it's a magnificent piece.

[Bill Kibbel]

Kurt was the first to be correct with the wake up call system. Buzzers are installed in each of the bedrooms. This is also an 1893 security system. The bell and buzzers go off when you open a window or door. It was run DC off a battery.