Collector's Pocket Watches Wristwatch...

Grand Havana Room, New York, May 08, 2002

LOT 145

Property of a European CollectorUnsigned, attributed to J.J. Meister, (Paris), circa 1890.A particularly fine and impressive monumental ?pendule de salon?, in gilt bronze and mahogany with ?torsional? pendulum and striking movement with date calendar.

C. semi-circular fluted plinth with bronze gilt mounts, double ?S? scroll flanked lion?s paw feet supporting the part reeded, part fluted tapering trunk with applied half round flowering torchères, pendant acanthus foliage and an emblem comprised of flambeau torchères all in gilt bronze. Four reeded volute scroll mahogany brackets and an elaborate gilt bronze musical trophy providing a further support for the broken semi-circular arched pediment, mounted with a gilt bronze eagle and surmounted btwo plump bronze putti, a scroll cartouche between acting as the pendulum support. D. stylized gilt brass ?gothic? Roman numerals applied to the dark blue lacquered front of the spherical pendulum bob, with inner calendar ring and winding shutters. Elaborate gilt brass Louis XIV hands with steel calendar pointer. The globe forming the pendulum bob, suspended from a tubular rod with elaborate decoration, with attached ?centrifugal regulator? type compensation spheres. M. ?mouvement de Paris? typ, of large size, with circular plates, 8-day going, Brocot style anchor escapement, with the anchor working against a ?wheel? with two indentations only, and beating 15 seconds as the pendulum swings in a circular arc. Hour and half-hour striking on a bell. Unsigned, the movement numbered 10-5.Dim. 215 x 60 x 40 cm.