The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 140

French, Royal Exchange, London, No. 12100,circa 1870.Fine and unusual, eight day going, portable, Rococo decorative chronometer mantel-clock.

CHF 24,000 - 28,000

C. Gilt cast-brass, decorated all over in high baroque relief and with applied figures of putti, mermaids, mermen, dolphins and fish, glazed four sides and top, ornate carrying handle. D. Gilt brass, fully engraved with scrolling foliage, Roman numerals on a frosted chapter ring and subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "fleur-de-lys" hands. M. Brass rectangular with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, and maintaining power, Earnshaw-type spring-detent platform escapement fully engraved with foliag, two-armcompensation balance with cylindrical poising weights and timing screws, helical balance spring with terminal curves, diamond endstone.Signed on dial and movement.Dim. 24,5 x 18 x 16,5 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: * 3
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

It is unusual to find a chronometer escapement in a "frivolously-cased" clock.A similar clock with calendar and striking train, was soldby Antiquorum on October 21, 1995, in the Theme auctionThe Art of British Horology, lot 218.