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Brass and Glass Pendulum Mantel Clock with Multi-Color Cloisonne Decoration, circa 1890, Lae 19th — view 1 of 4
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Clocks · Clock

Brass and Glass Pendulum Mantel Clock with Multi-Color Cloisonne Decoration, circa 1890, Lae 19th

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
c. 1890
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Clock
Materials / technique
brass, cloisonne, enamel, glass
Lot
Item 148691422
Credit line
Auction lot record: lot 268, MARCH ESTATE CATALOGUE AUCTION, Sloans & Kenyon (2023), via LiveAuctioneers
Catalogue title (original)
BRASS AND GLASS PENDULUM MANTEL CLOCK WITH MULTI-COLOR CLOISONNE DECORATION, CIRCA 1890, lae 19th (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by LiveAuctioneers auction archive (lot Item 148691422), this is a clock, dated c. 1890. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Clocks collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: brass, cloisonne, enamel, glass. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Lot description — Sloans & Kenyon

BRASS AND GLASS PENDULUM MANTEL CLOCK WITH MULTI-COLOR CLOISONNE DECORATION, CIRCA 1890, lae 19th century. Vertical rectangular case with urn-form finial centers enameled circular face; key wind - H: 15 in.

Historical context

Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)

American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.

Factory production transformed the clock into an everyday object. American makers (Seth Thomas, Ansonia, Waterbury) and German factories (Junghans, Gustav Becker, Lenzkirch) sold millions of shelf, wall and alarm clocks worldwide; France produced standardised Paris movements and carriage clocks; electric time distribution began.

Read the period in the timelineMore clocks from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology

Atlas type guide

Mantel and French pendule clocks

The mantel clock — the French pendule de cheminée — is as much decorative art as timekeeper. From the late seventeenth century Parisian clockmakers worked with cabinet-makers, bronze founders and gilders (ciseleurs-doreurs) to create cases in Boulle marquetry, gilt bronze and marble, while the movements were often supplied by specialist makers. Clocks of the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI periods, and Empire clocks with allegorical figures, set fashions copied across Europe.

The nineteenth century industrialised the type. The 'Paris movement', a standardised round movement with silk-thread or Brocot suspension and count-wheel striking, was made in huge numbers by firms such as Japy and Vincenti, and fitted into cases of every style and material.

What to look for

  • Round 'Paris' movements with makers' stamps (e.g. Japy Frères, Vincenti, S. Marti) and medal marks from exhibitions.
  • Suspension type: silk thread (earlier) or Brocot adjustable suspension (after c. 1840).
  • Visible Brocot escapement on the dial in later clocks.
  • Fire-gilt (mercury) gilding on bronzes versus later electro-gilding.
  • Signed dials naming a retailer rather than the movement maker.

Dating clues

  • Silk-suspension Paris movements: c. 1800–1850.
  • Brocot suspension and visible escapements: after c. 1840.
  • Exhibition medal stamps on movements give dates after the medal year.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Anchor (recoil) escapement

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