Inv. #G28

A very nice mid-Victorian interchangeable music box on the original stand and with the original tune sheet. The inlaid box with canted corners, walnut veneer, ebonises edges and decorative floral inlay to the front and hinged top. The interior of the box is separated into three separate sections. The center section contains the movement and has a glazed hinged cover, on one side is the winder and on the other are the control levers, one to start and stop the box and the other is the tune change.

Inv. #F145

A very rare late-Victorian gilt-bronze four-glass terrestrial globe clock retailed by both Charles Hour and John Wanamaker with the globe by Maison Delamarche. The stately gilt-bronze case has reeded columns to the corners, beveled glasses to all sides and is surmounted by the globe mechanism.

Mounted within a shaped gilt-bronze frame is the globe which is signed 'Maison Delamarche Paris Rue Serpente 25'. It is driven by the movement below and is carried declined. The silvered engraved equatorial ring above has a small fixed sun and Roman numerals for the hours while below is a vertically mounted silvered engraved annual calendar ring. Since this could be used as a teaching instrument provisions are made for both disengaging the clockwork from the mechanism above and for manually advancing the globe-work.

The high quality eight day time and strike movement has a steel suspension, a pin-pallet escapement, is stamped on the back 'CH Hour, France', 'Made in France', 'John Wanamaker, London, New York, Paris', '5453' and carries two arbors that drive the mechanism above.

The gilt-bronze dial has a decorative cast bezel, a sunken dial that indicates days of week, Roman numerals for the hours, steel-cut hands and is signed 'John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, New York, Paris, Ch Hour, France'.

The clock is designed to demonstrate the equation of time – the difference between mean time and solar time. The sun is represented by the gilt piece secured to the equatorial ring. As the clock runs it indicates mean time, but the globe does not consistently rotate on its axis 360 degrees in exactly 24 hours. Instead, it rotates at the solar rate for the day of the year indicated on the scale below. The comparison of the globes position to the time below demonstrates the Equation of Time. Since it is also a 24 hour dial, the equatorial ring also illustrates world time.

Ref:
Charles Hour was originally founded under the name of Diette in 1852. Their stamp is a good indication of quality.
John Wanamaker and Co. was established in 1875 in Philadelphia. They had interests in Paris and London and imported fine European decorative items to the US.
Maison Delamarche was established in Paris in the 18th century by Charles Francois Delamarche (1740-1817). The firm continued to make globes into the 20th century.
Meraux Sale, Sotheby's, Sale 6447, 1993, Lot 483.

Height – 26in.

SOLD

Inv. #P73

A rare early 19th century ebony and ormolu swinging portico clock by LeRoy à Paris. The superb ebony veneered two column portico case has tapered columns with finely cut ebony moldings and numerous ormolu mounts that include decorative appliqués, stylized capitals and engine-turned bun feet.

The clock is housed in the 9-rod gridiron bi-metallic pendulum that has a cast ormolu bob, is suspended via reverse knife-edge and has the fast/slow adjustment in the center. At the bottom is a screwed pointer that indicates circular degrees against a rectangular ormolu indicator and in the center is a steel-cut hand that indicates the degree of compensation.

The ormolu dial has a center of concentric circles with various decorative engine turning, painted Roman numerals for the hours set in recessed circles, a name plaque with 'Le Roy A Paris' and two exceptional steel-cut Breguet-style hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has a crutch that engages a pin on the back of the ormolu register mount. As the clock runs impulse is directed to the crutch and since the pin is immobile the pendulum with the clock swings side to side.

Swinging pendulum clocks had gained popularity in the mid-eighteenth century and continued to be made through the mid 19th century. They ranged both in size and design and like the rest of the decorative arts followed the emerging fashions with this being a particularly refined example.

Ref: For additional information and similar examples see:
Derek Roberts, 'Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks', Chapter 12.

Height - 21.5in.

SOLD

Inv. #P113

A Louis Philippe walnut floor standing year running regulator by Lepaute à Paris. The small, well-proportioned case has nicely figured and colored walnut veneer, satinwood and ebony inlay, canted front corners, a stepped paneled plinth and a removable top.

The engraved silvered dial has Roman numerals for the hours, an ormolu bezel, finely cut Breguet style steel hands and is signed by the maker, 'Lepaute à Paris'.

The large rectangular movement is attached by two large screws with knurled ormolu heads to a massive brass bracket mounted by six steel screws to the backboard. It has finely cut wheelwork with high pinion counts, a dead-beat escapement with steel pallets carried on the backplate, an elongated crutch with a screwed beat adjustment and is powered by a massive weight that falls down a hidden channel behind the backboard.

The massive three rod bi-metallic compensating pendulum is suspended by spring from a shaped bracket with the fast/slow adjustment above. It has Ellicott type compensation within the glazed compartment in the center of the lenticular bob, a compensation indicator hand that points to a scale engraved with 'condensation/delatation', and a small engraved plaque mounted above that reads, 'On Me Remonte Tous Les Ans' (Rely on me through the years).

Ref: The Lepaute dynasty began in 1720 and lasted into the 20th century. They were an exceedingly talented family whose works are represented in some of the best collections in the world including the Frick and Metropolitan Museum of Art. This clock most likely was produced in the workshop of Henry Lepaute.

Height – 76.5in.

SOLD

Inv. #F101

A very rare French gilt-bronze late nineteenth-century giant four-gong carriage clock. The massive case is a variation of the Anglaise Riche style and has a flared and stepped base, dentil work, a fluted hinged handle, detached fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, well-cast finials, five beveled glasses including the viewing glass for the balance and four bold toupie feet.

The eight-day grand-sonnerie striking movement is wound and set out the back, has a three position strike control lever out the base, retains its original balance platform with a bi-metallic balance wheel, is inscribed on the inside of the backplate 'AB', is stamped '3060' and strikes the hours and quarters on four steel coiled gongs either on each quarter automatically or by pressing the repeat button above. The first quarter of the strike pattern is identical to the Westminster chime and probably is why these clocks are commonly referred to as Westminster carriage clocks. They all do not continue, however, the Westminster chiming sequence, but merely reverse the sequence of notes for each subsequent quarter.

The dial has a silvered mask, a gilt-bronze dial with black Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic five-minute marks, steel-cut hands and a separate 12-hour alarm dial with Arabic numbers for the hours.

This model was produced in both four and five gong examples. While five gong models use four gongs for the quarters and strike the hour on an additional fifth gong, four gong models use only the four gongs for all the striking and shift one of the gong hammers over so it is activated by another set of pins for the hour striking. The stamped number on the backplate, '3060', is located in a semi-circle around the left bottom post which is usually an indication that the clock was made by Drocourt. Since there are no other marks except the hidden inscription 'AB' this might indicate a connection between the two firms.

Ref: For a similar clock and description of the inscription see: 'Fine Carriage Clocks', Fanelli, pg. 63.

"The letters AB have been frequently in secret places on many fine clocks, including those with 4-and5-gong grande sonneries. It is possible that the letters A B are for Alfred Baveux."

For a similar clock see: 'The Carriage Clock, 200 Years of Timely Allure', Vitale and Vitale, pg. 13.

Height - 7.75(case only)

Height - 9.325 (handle-up)

SOLD

Inv. #F142

A massive late 19th century French carved mantle clock by JM Van Der Kemp, Paris. The large classically inspired walnut case has crisp detailed moldings on the shaped base and arched top. A depiction of the Birth of Venus surmounts the clock as a carved figure of an outstretched Venus holding flowing drapery stands in a shell supported by two dolphins on a decorative plinth. Extremely well-cast gilt-bronze capitals and appliqués adorn the front and the onyx pilasters to the corners. To the front and sides are extremely well-carved panels that are decorated with garlands, marked in the corners 'VDK' and depict Venus in various poses.

The large, square eight day time and strike movement has the winding arbors off the backplate, is signed by the maker, 'Van Der Kemp, Paris', has a Brocot escapement, and strikes on a gong.

The classically inspired ivory dial has finely cast gilt bronze hands and bezel, is wonderfully painted, set beneath glass and is signed by the noted miniature dial painter 'Paillet'.

Ref: Paillet is noteworthy as he produced miniature ivory dials for some of the top watch firms including the jewelers Lacloche Frères.

Height – 37in.

SOLD

Inv. #F106

A very nice quality late nineteenth century French engraved porcelain paneled carriage clock by Drocourt. The gilt-bronze cannelee case has well executed floral and geometric engraving on both smooth and matted grounds, a beveled oval glass above to view the balance platform, a hinged handle and porcelain panels to the sides and front. The well-drawn classically inspired polychrome porcelain panels depict couples in the various pursuits of love and are framed with blue borders adorned with gilt floral decoration.

The front panel has the two lovers below and incorporates the dial with well-lettered black Roman numerals for the hours set within a black minute chapter that has a musical trophy at the center and steel-cut spade hands.

The eight-day time, strike and hour repeat movement retains its original balance platform with a bi-metallic screwed balance wheel, is wound and set out the back, stamped with the maker's mark, numbered around the lower left movement post, '12152' and strikes on a gong.

It has become increasingly difficult to find fine decorative carriage clocks. We are lucky to have been able to assemble a collection that includes examples ranging from the purely decorative to the more technical. This example is particularly remarkable due to the high-quality workmanship and artistry employed throughout.

Ref: For a more detailed discussion on Drocourt see 'Carriage Clocks' by Charles Allix, pg. 438.

Drocourt's stamp was a 'D' and 'C' flanking a carriage clock set within an oval.

Height - 5.375in (w/out handle)

SOLD

Inv. #P114

A very rare early 19th century ormolu, patinated bronze and polychrome paper mache 'negre fumeur' by Robert à Paris. The figure, Francois Dominique Toussaint, is depicted smoking a cigar in traditional ormolu garb that includes a ruffled shirt and a full-length cape. The arms, one resting on his belly and the other holding a cigar, are patinated bronze while the head is polychrome paper mache. The clock is housed in the belly and as it runs the head nods back and forth. The whole stands on an ebonized oval base raised on four feet.

The small silvered dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, an engine-turned bezel, a decorative engine turned center, engraved chapter lines and steel Breguet style hands.

The eight-day time-only movement is stamped by the maker, 'Robert A Paris' and has a pendulum with a lenticular bob that is suspended by reverse knife-edge from the back of the case. The well-balanced detachable paper mache head receives impulse from a small crutch mounted to the top of the pendulum and rocks back and forth on an internal arbor as the clock runs.

Ref: The figure represents Francois Dominique Toussaint (1746-1803), known as Toussaint-l'Ouverture who as a result of his cunning and bravery was made Commander and Chief of Haiti in 1797 and became its liberator in 1802.

A very similar clock was in Sotheby’s, London, ‘Clock and Watch Sale’, June ’92, Lot 397.

Height - 14in.

SOLD