The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 440

Charpentier Fils, circa 1780.Fine and very unusual white marble and ormolu eight day going, hour and half-hour striking clock.

CHF 5,000 - 6,000

C. Rectangular white marble base applied with gilt bronze interlaced foliage decoration and standing on four engine-turned feet. The gilt bronze scene features a nobleman scrapping the dust off the clogs of a peasan. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring. Gilt brass pierced and engraved Louis XV hands. M. Brass, pré-mouvement de Paris type, with going barrels both on the going and the striking trains, anchor escapement, short pendulum with a silk suspension, striking oa bell with early rack type striking work visible on the back plate.Signed on the dial.Dim. 28 x 22 x 11 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 4

Fair
Movement: * 4
Dial: 4 - 21 - 04

Notes

Beside the highly unusual scene shown on this clock, its movement is fitted with an early form of rack type striking work which was invented in order to avoid the disadvantage of the locking plate, which does not allow any kind of repetition, each hour and half-hour having to be struck once only in order to match the time shown by the hands.