Superb Gilt Bronze Clock Set ~ Dragons

~ English / French - Circa 1880 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A very large and impressive original antique gilt bronze clock set, of the most superb quality, by Swinden & Sons of Temple Street Birmingham. Two dragons stand guard, supporting the movement and dial held aloft in a drum. A finely fretted panel allows the pendulum to be glimpsed swinging within the case. A cherub clutching laurel wreaths sits to the base. Candelabra are modelled as a dragon holding the three branches as a burning torché. The modelling of the dragons is particularly well executed. It is an English made case and candelabra, superbly modelled, finished and gilded. The movement is the highest quality square plate Pendule De Paris movement, sourced from France by Swindens with their Paris mark on the backplate, an English movement would have been too large to fit the design. There is a diamond registration mark, issued by the British Patent office, on both candelabra dating the design to 1877.

The large dial is also bronze with 12 individual enamel cartouches and blued steel hands.

The French movement is of the highest quality and is fitted with a pin-pallet escapement and rack striking. It is the square plated version of the Pendule De Paris design with four pillars and heavy plates. The Swinden & Sons mark is on the backplate. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. 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 just some slight wear and discolouration in places. The reverse of one dragon has a small piece of wing missing, this is at the rear of the clock case. The rear door has been re-built at some time. The dial is also in good condition, there is some slight restoration to some of the cartouches. The set makes a stunning display as you can see below. 

      
Swinden & Sons mark on the movement backplate. The British Diamond mark on the candelabra.

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