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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

Inv. #T24

A very nice ormolu mounted inlaid Louis XV floor standing long-running regulator clock by J.B. Paillard A Paris. The curvilinear case has purplewood, kingwood and Hollywood veneer on an oak carcass, scrolling bronze mounts and a glazed door.

The 30-day movement is mounted to a large polished brass bracket that is bolted through the thick oak backboard. It has thick two part brass plates, seven shaped pillars, screwed pivot plates front and back, a steel anchor with screw adjustment, a rotational beat adjuster and has a polished brass running weight suspended from Huygens endless rope.

The large well-made compensating pendulum has a polished brass lenticular bob, a two part steel rod, a long copper rod and a screwed arbor for compensation. The whole is suspended by steel spring from a large adjustable block mounted through the backboard. Turning the arbor shifts the pivot point and in turn changes the amount that the bob compensates as the copper rod expands and contracts in reaction to temperature changes.

The ormolu dial is cast with scrolling foliage, has Arabic minute marks, white porcelain cartouche hour plates with blue Roman numerals, a convex porcelain seconds dial and the is signed by the maker on a separate shaped plate, 'I.A.Paillard, A Paris'.

Ref: Tardy's lists Jean Baptiste Paillard as living 1717-1751

Height - 83in.

SOLD

Inv. #G97

A very attractive early 20th century Austrian silver and enamel timepiece. The silver case has a flamingo in the center with enameled wings standing on a rockwork ground. Above and below are classically inspired detailed polychrome enamel reserves set on gilt decorated black ground and highlighted by cast-enameled appliqués.

The champlevé dial is decorated in opaque and translucent polychrome enamel and depicts a hunting dog pointing to a bird taking flight. The decorative center has black Roman numerals on gilt grounds and decorative gilt-bronze hands while the whole is protected by a decorative glazed silver hinged bezel.

The one-day French fusee watch has a decorative back-cock, a regulator with a silvered scale and is signed by the maker, 'Lèpine á Paris'.

Decorative enameled desk pieces were specialties of the Austrian workshops at the turn of the century. They used high quality movements of proceeding generations and did detailed polychrome decorative work on all the surfaces including the underside of the base and the interior.

Height - 7.25in.

Retail Price: SOLD

Inv. #G100

A very rare early 20th century minute-repeating desk clock by Cartier. The gilt-silver rectangular case is attractively decorated in green and black alternating enamel stripes on four sides, has an engraved backplate and numerous stamps on the base that include 'European Watch and Clock Co.', 'Sterling', '1160', '12527' and 'Swiss'.

The round, silvered dial has raised gold Arabic numbers for the hours and dots for the minutes, gold hands, a decorative glazed gilt-silver bezel and a sunken center signed 'Cartier'.

The round minute-repeating eight-day movement has a push repeat button on the side, the wind out the bottom and is adjusted for fast/slow by a shuttered aperture through the back.

Height - 2.75in.

Retail Price: SOLD

Inv. #P115

A very nice Charles X ormolu and patinated 'Swinging Cherub' portico clock by Le Roy. The nicely proportioned patinated case has well cast ormolu mounts that include acanthus leaf moldings and bezel, Corinthian columns, decorative floral freezes top and bottom and in the center cupid with his implements.

The well-lettered ormolu dial has a decorative engine-turned center, black Roman numerals for the hours on a smooth chapter ring with engraved borders, Breguet style hands and is signed on a cartouche in the center, 'LeRoy A Paris'.

The eight-day time and strike movement strikes by countwheel on a bell, has a cherub swinging from a brass ring as the pendulum and is stamped '2358'. The pendulum is suspended by a knife-edge suspension that orients it to oscillate front to back, is captured by the crutch at the side of the movement rather than the back and has two steel pallets screwed directly to the crutch that alternately engage with two escape-wheels set in parallel on a single arbor.

Ref: Sotheby's, 'Joseph Meraux Collection', '93, Lot 358.

The spring is dated 1827.

Height - 18in.

Retail Price: SOLD