A FINE AND RARE MID 19TH CENTURY FRENCH GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE HORIZONTAL FRAME STRIKING SKEL...

A FINE AND RARE MID 19TH CENTURY FRENCH GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE HORIZONTAL FRAME STRIKING SKELETON CLOCK Charles Oudin, Elève de Breguet, The case surmounted by the thick skeletonised shaped plates united by a pair of very heavy pillars on four mirror-polished steel and lacquered-brass columns to a stepped plinth, all set on a two-colour low rectangular base, on a bespoke velvet-covered stepped plinth raised on ball feet. The 3.75 inch silvered Roman dial with outer minute band framing the elegant numerals and wavy engine turned centre, signed CHles OUDIN, Eleve de Breguet, with gilt Breguet style hands and plain bezel. The twin spring barrel movement wound from the front, with blued steel clicks and hand-setting knob, high count pinions and delicately finished wheelwork to a jewelled Brocot style deadbeat escapement (with a rise-and-fall regulation dial set in the apex of the A frame), driving a nine-rod brass and steel gridiron pendulum mounted at the rear with brass lenticular bob and fine adjustment; two vertical steel arms are mounted at the front and (via a countwheel mounted to the rear) activate the strike of the hammer on the bell mounted behind the dial in the plinth below, and - via a bevel gearing system - driving the hands around the dial. The clock 44cms (17.5 ins) high. Total height, including the stand 50cms (19.5ins) high. Footnotes: A closely similar clock fitted with perpetual calendar is illustrated and discussed in F. B. Royer-Collard, Skeleton Clocks, p. 72. That clock, by Henri Robert (1794-1874), dated 1839 and inscribed for exhibition at the Exposition des Produits de L'Industrie Francaise in 1839 was sold at Skinner 16 July 2011. Jean-Charles-François, known as Charles Oudin (1768-1840) was one of the most respected associates of the eminent A.-L. Breguet. He is known to have contributed to the design of both watches and clocks for the Breguet firm. In 1801, he established his own firm at the Palais Royal. His clients included the Empress Joséphine and over the years the firm were awarded several prizes at industrial expositions. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing