MANTEL CLOCK ‘BRASS EN L’ AIR’ Ca. 1870 FRANCE

M&R83

MANTEL CLOCK ‘BRASS EN L’ AIR’
Circa 1870
France

Movement
Mantel clock ‘brass en l’air’The spring-driven, eight-day movement is constructed between plates and has a platform escapement with hair-spring balance and regulation. The clock has a going train only, slowly moving the arms of a fire-gilt lady which indicate the time on the left and right.

Dial
The female figure is situated in an arched gilt-brass niche against a dark blue enamel background. The whole is embellished by pierced scroll and leaf ornaments. The time is indicated on two semi-circular enamel strips with Arabic numerals, on the left the hours and on the right a five-minute scale. The winding hole is situated in the rear of the base, which contains the movement. In addition there is a button to set the hands.

Case
The white marble case in which the movement is located is embellished by gilt-brass mounts, whilst the gilt-brass superstructure is set against blue cloisonné enamel. The gilt-brass bras en l’air figure is situated on the marble base. The whole rests on four gilt-brass feet and is surmounted by three finials.
Duration 1 week

Height: 45,5 cm.
Width: 24 cm.
Depth: 12 cm.

Literature
D. Roberts, Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks, Atglen, 1999, p. 93.