Early Ormolu Clock ~ Cavalier Playing a Guitar ~ French - Circa 1830 ~ ~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~ A fine and early French ormolu clock (mercury fire gilded or bronze doré). It features a beautifully modelled cavalier seated on a rocky outcrop, playing a guitar. The outcrop houses the movement. The base of the clock is formed of an beautifully chased anthemion frieze above a matted panel of palmette motifs and bracket feet. The original gilding is in glorious condition with a lovely golden glow.

The dial is silvered bronze, lettered in black with original Breguet hands. The dial, bezel, rear bezel and the case are marked with matching serial numbers. Please note this style of clock does not have a glass bezel or rear door.

The early French movement is of high quality and is by Charles of Paris and is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. On the rear plate is the mark of the retailer Piolaine of Paris. Both clockmaker and retailer are listed in Tardy,  Dictionnaire Des Horlogers. It an early French movement with silk suspension and small plates. It has the more unusual through dial rate adjustment. Pendulum is a replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video clip below to hear the bell and watch the clock running.

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with some wear, mostly to the sides and rear of the case as these areas were not as heavily gilded as the front originally. There is an old repair to the right hand bracket foot. The dial is in very good condition with just some slight marks to the recent silvering. This is a stunning clock, almost 200 years old, in fine condition.  

  
Clockmaker's mark J. Charles of Paris and Retailer's mark Piolaine on the movement back plate

Complete with pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Click the movie player below to see the this actual clock run -
(large file, may take a moment to start).