Rare French Double Dial Porcelain and Gilt Hanging Clock

Circa 1890

~ S Marti et Cie ~

~~ Excellent Condition ~~

A rare French hanging clock with a dial on each side - the clock can be hung from the ceiling so that the clock can be read from either side. The case is of porcelain with a deep blue ground with silver and gilt over glaze decoration of floral swags and butterflies. Gilt metal mounts are attached to the porcelain case and the clock hangs from chains attached to two mythical creatures mounted on the sides of the clock. Both dials are enamel and the front one has an aperture for the balance wheel. The hands are blued steel.

The 8 day balance wheel movement is of excellent quality with large plates (the movement is larger than a French pendule de Paris movement for example) and large well cut wheels. A shaft brings the motion to the back plate of the movement where a second motion work is mounted for the second dial see picture below. It is by the famous maker S Marti et Cie and also bears the retailers mark - see pictures below. Both dials are covered with convex glass.

Condition of the movement is excellent, clean and running - keeps good time and runs for 8 days.

Our dial restorer has restored the dials to a high standard, retaining the majority of the original lettering, a slight hairline is still visible on the rear dial. We have cut two new hands for the rear dial - one of the front hands is original and one is an old replacement. The porcelain case is in excellent condition with just a few minor surface scratches on the glaze. The over glaze silver and gilt decoration is worn in places. There are some old repairs to the gilt metal mounts - we have brightened these with a little gilt wax and securely re-attached them. The glass is slightly marked. We will supply the chain shown in the picture, however the clock would be more secure with a strong brass chain in a permanent installation.

The clock would look stunning in an entrance hall, over a door way with clock aperture, over a counter or bar or hanging from an elaborate cast iron bracket from a wall.

Altogether a very rare, unusual and attractive clock!

Dimensions: Height 18 1/2", Width 13 1/2", Depth 5 1/2".

Complete with key