SKELETON CLOCK WITH STRIKING Druyer Ca. 1790 France

M&R87

SKELETON CLOCK
Signed Druyer
Circa 1790
France

Movement
The brass skeletonised movement has going and striking trains. The going train has pinwheel escapement with hairspring balance, driven by a remontoir system. The remontoir is wound by the spring-driven striking train; during the striking action the remontoir weight is raised. The striking is regulated by a countwheel and indicates the hours fully on a bell and the half hours with one stroke. The bell is mounted above the movement.

Dial
The circular, white enamel chapter ring has Arabic hour numerals and Arabic quarter-hour numerals. Every five minutes there is a golden ornament whilst the minutes are indicated by a black point. The chapter ring is set in machine-turned gilt-brass bezels on both sides. It is signed by the maker under the 6 Druyer. The time is indicated by a fine pair of pierced gilt-brass hands, the seconds by a blued steel sweep seconds hand. The clock is wound from the front below the 6.

Case
The gilt brass skeleton is flanked by pineapple ornaments. Between the four ornaments the balance is situated in the middle of the skeletonised base plate. The whole rests on a marble base.

Duration 1 week

Height 46.5 cm.
Width 33 cm.
Depth 17 cm.

Literature
– Derek Roberts, Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, p. 37.
– F.B. Royer Collard, Skeleton clocks, p. 128.
– Tardy, Les Plus Belles Pendules Françoises, p. 190.

The maker
Druyer was born in 1755. He was master clockmaker in 1786 and was active as a clockmaker until the year 1810.