Snow bargain!

**jeules0** · 01-13-2010, 02:08 PM

Here in England we have snow. Now, I know what you guys in the USA are thinking: 'So what's the big deal?' Well, here it is a big deal-believe me! The whole transport infrastructure grinds to a halt with the first sprinkling, so it was with some trepidation that I ventured out yesterday to the Ardingly antiques fair in Sussex, about 100 miles away. Not many stalls greeted me: a fraction of those that normally attend. Rather wishing I hadn't bothered, I trudged round the hardy outside stall-holders before heading for the relative warmth of the insiders. One or two clocks got my attention before I came across this impressive, original condition, French bronze ormolu mantel clock, 17" high. It was dusty and missing the pendulum, but otherwise excellent condition. Quick haggle and mine for GB£260. Partly dismantled and cleaned up the case and then the movement; made up a pendulum; filed a burr from the escapement wheel that was causing the pendulum to hang up. Result: it's now ticking away nicely.

**itbme1987** · 01-13-2010, 02:18 PM

that is a very very beautiful clock. Great find

**lamarw** · 01-13-2010, 04:01 PM

It was meant to be yours. Congrats~

**cazboy** · 01-13-2010, 04:06 PM

It just shows that sometimes when you take a chance, you can be richly rewarded! Congratulation - that is a gorgeous clock indeed.

**Brian Smith** · 01-13-2010, 05:05 PM

FYI--snow doesn't "sprinkle", it "dusts".

**jeules0** · 01-13-2010, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Brian Smith

FYI--snow doesn't "sprinkle", it "dusts".

Great! The pay's not good: when can it start?

-> posts merged by system <-
Thanks for the compliments! One question: when did the rack strike come into common use, as opposed to the count wheel? This clock has the former, and I was wondering which came first.

**Kevin W.** · 01-14-2010, 09:58 AM

Great looking clock.Sometimes we have to go beyond our usual searches to come up with something, that we really want.In your case you went out on a snow day.Congrats.

**new2clocks** · 01-16-2010, 09:50 AM

Beautiful clock!

Congratulations!

Regards.

**Sooth** · 01-17-2010, 11:27 AM

Nice Onyx on the case. It goes well with the gilded elements. Quite a beautiful clock.

**laprade** · 01-17-2010, 03:31 PM

Sooth; Actually, it's alabaster.

**jeules0** · 01-17-2010, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sooth

Nice Onyx on the case. It goes well with the gilded elements. Quite a beautiful clock.

Thanks, Sooth. I can confirm that it's alabaster, rather than onyx, which was my first thought. Stephen (laprade) kindly sent me an interesting article on identifying alabaster, for which many thanks. Chris

**Vernon** · 01-18-2010, 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by jeules0

Great! The pay's not good: when can it start?

-> posts merged by system <-
Thanks for the compliments! One question: when did the rack strike come into common use, as opposed to the count wheel? This clock has the former, and I was wondering which came first.

Good question, maybe somebody has an idea?