Ormolu Drum Head Clock with Lions Masks

~ French - Circa 1860 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A fine and early original antique French drum head clock. Beautifully made in finely gilded bronze, It is of Neoclassical design with lions masks, scrolling acanthus supports and a classical urn to the top with flame finial. Pierced panels to the four sides allow the pendulum to be seen gently swinging within. The movement is by Samuel Marti.

Email Julie@dragon-antiques.com
or call ++44 1773 829629 to reserve

~~ or ~~

£3950 English Pounds Sterling

Shipping within UK £25

Shipping to USA / Europe £115 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £150 by air fully insured

stock code:

RSC3099

The superb large dial is porcelain enamel on copper with its original finely cut gilt brass hands and convex glass. The rear door is also glazed to allow the movement to be seen.

The French movement is of high quality and is by Samuel Marti. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. It is the earlier, large plate version of the Paris movement with pin-pallet escapement, rack striking and outside spring hammer stop. Pendulum is a replacement. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video below to hear the bell and watch the clock running.

The design of this clock is based on the 18th century by the well known case maker Antoine Foullet (1710-1775). He was a cabinet maker who specialised in clockcases. He became master in 1749 and worked from his workshop on the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, Paris. Following his death in 1775, an inventory drawn up lists twenty clocks cases, some made entirely of bronze. Foullet's work is represented in the finest collections including The J Paul Getty Museum. A design drawing of a similar clock can be seen on page 192 of Vergoldete Bronzen by Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Proschel.

A clock of similar design can be seen on page 239 of Les Plus Belles Pendules Francaises by Giacomo and Aurelie Wannenes 2013.

Samuel Marti clockmakers mark on the movement backplate

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with hardly any wear or discolouration and there are no losses. The dial is also in excellent condition just some tiny nibbles to the winding holes. The original glass has some chipping to the edge.

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

Dimensions of clock:	inches	Height 16 1/4", Width 10", Depth 5 3/4"
	centimetres	Height 41.5 cm, Width 25.5 cm, Depth 14.5 cm

About us - All of our clocks are original antiques, we source most of our clocks in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK. We prefer to buy our clocks in original 'dirty' condition. We then clean the cases using a technique we have developed over many years. We employ two qualified clockmakers who overhaul the movements. Movements are thoroughly tested until we are satisfied that they will run trouble free.

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