8,625 CHF
French, circa 1820. Fine and highly unusual ormolu miniature, eight day going, hour and half hour striking Empire mantel regulator with centre-seconds and special escapement. Architectural on bun feet wit acanthus-cast moulding to the rectangular plinth, the four columns supporting the stepped top. Gilt-bronze bezel with foliate decoration. White enamel with Roman numerals. Blued-steel Breguet hands. Brass circular with cylindrical pillars, going barrels for both the going and the striking trains, unusual pin-wheel escapement exhibited on the back plate, short pendulum with spring suspension, the brass bob fitted on the back with a short small subsidiary pendulum. Striking on a bell with count wheel on the back plate. Dim. 22,5 x 12,5 x 8,5 cm. Notes Several miniature clocks were produced in France between 1780 and 1820. They were generally fitted with verge watch movements although few were made with miniature striking movements. This clock is a very unusual attempt to built a half scale mantel regulator; the shape of the anchor had to be specially designed for such a small pin-wheel escapement.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1998-04-18
