Dreweatts 1759
Lot 102
A FRENCH GILT ANGLAISE RICHE CASED GRANDE-SONNERIE ALARM CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH FINE FRETWORK PANELSUNSIGNED BUT WITH SIMILARITIES TO THE WORK OF HENRI JACOT, PARIS, CIRCA 1890The eight-day two train movement ting-tang striking the quarters on a graduated pair of gongs and sounding the hour every quarter hour on the larger of the two, with silvered platform lever escapement and alarm mechanism positioned to the top left sounding on the smaller gong, the dial with circular white enamel Roman numeral disc incorporating Arabic five minutes to outer track and with blued steel moon hands, set within a fine bright-cut engraved and pierced foliate scrollwork rectangular mask incorporating conforming subsidiary alarm setting dial to lower margin, the frosted gilt brass bevel-glazed variant of the Anglaise riche case with reeded baton to the hinged carrying handle over thick top glass, repeat button to front rail, complex moulded cornice and dentil frieze, the angles with fluted three-quarter columns with Corinthian capitals and the sides with fine foliate pierced and engraved frets each incorporating central urn issuing a floral spray set behind bevelled glasses, the rear with pin-hinged glazed door, on generous ogee moulded skirt base with conforming dentil frieze and stepped lower edge incorporating shallow block feet, the underside with Grande Sonnerie/Petit Sonnerie/Silence selection lever; with original tooled Morocco leather covered travelling case.The clock 17.5cm (7.5ins) high with handle down, 11.5cm (4.5ins) wide, 9.5cm (3.75ins) deep. Provenance: Previously sold at Bonhams, London sale of FINE CLOCKS 20th June 2012 (lot 7) for £2,000. Although unsigned, the present clock is of notably fine quality with distinctive silvered platform and engraved fretwork panels reminiscent of those sometimes seen on examples by LeRoy et Fils and E. Maurice and Company; indeed examples by each of these makers, incorporating similar panels, were sold in these rooms on 21st April 2021 (lot 106) and 2nd March 2022 (lot 166) respectively. The scroll-shaped handle and ogee over stepped moulded skirt base are distinctive features which set the present case aside from the standard 'anglaise riche' design which generally incorporate an angular scroll to the handle and plain plinth base. The castings for the base mouldings, however, mirror those on a 'cariatides' case by Henri Jacot illustrated in Allix, Charles and Bonnert, Peter CARRIAGE CLOCKS, Their history and development on page 172 (Plate VII/24). As this particular variant of 'cariatides' case was favoured by Jacot the presence of these castings on the case of the present clock would suggest a connection to the workshop of Henri Jacot. Interestingly a grande-sonnerie striking clock with an identical pattern of 'cariatides' case to that illustrated by Allix and Bonnert, but housing a movement exhibiting identical details, such as pattern of winding arrow and annotations to the backplate, to the present clock, was sold in these rooms (in partially dismantled condition) 6th October 2021 (lot 111). Henri Jacot is recorded by Allix as working from 31 Rue de Montmorency, Paris as well as possibly having a factory in Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont. The business was awarded Bronze Medals at the Paris 'Exposition' in 1855 and in London 1862; Silver in Paris 1867, 78 and 89 and Gold, again in Paris, 1890. Although Charles Allix notes that Henry Jacot senior died in 1868 and was succeeded by his nephew of the same name further research by Leigh Extence has revealed that after his death Henri's business was actually continued by his brother Julien who was essentially only 'keeping the bench warm' until his son, and Henri's nephew Albert, was able to take over and move the concern forward in 1874. The business is thought to have continued until around 1920. Condition Report: Movement is complete and appears all-original with no visible evidence of alteration or with noticeable replacements. Clock is running with the grande-sonnerie striking operating correctly including the selection lever to the base. The alarm is also in working condition. Although in full working condition the movement would probably benefit form a gentle clean and service. The dial appears free from visible damage or other faults. The case is in fine condition with minimal mellowing to the gilding. The glasses are free from visible damage/chips. The underside has a noticeable scratch through part of the strike selectin text and some slight discolouration otherwise is in fine condition. The protective case is structurally sound but has significant wear and losses to the leather covering and wear/fading to interior. The strap handle is also missing as is the slide-in shutter for the front aperture.Clock has a winding/setting key. Condition Report Disclaimer
