Assistance identifying maker of carriage clock - French, possibly 18th century

[NSguy]

Hello, I'm looking to identify the maker of this clock that I have inherited. The clock appears to be French, with no visible markings or stamps on the exterior or interior of the case or on the mechanism. The dial is signed 'Paria' or 'Aaria' on the lower half of the dial, while it appears that a word was scratched out or painted over on the upper part. The dial is about 10cm in diameter. My apologies for the poor quality of the photos.

 

[NSguy]

My clock appears to be very similar to this one: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F..._of_Fine_Arts,_Springfield,_MA_-_DSC04090.JPG

 

[jmclaugh]

An interesting clock which I agree is French but it isn't a carriage clock. The case style is that of a pendule d'officier, a type of portable clock so called because it was said to have been used by French officers on campaigns. Pendule d'officier clocks were made from around 1780 to 1820. The movement looks to be a pendule de Paris that appears to have been converted to use a lever escapement which is mounted vertically, so it doesn't require a contrate wheel, at an odd angle to avoid the count wheel.

If you check under the bell you might find a mark indicating the movement maker.

 

[tarant]

The movement is much younger than the case, dial and hands IMO.

 

[Ralph]

It's a late 19th century interpretation of an earlier clock. Couvoisier was a noted maker who made many of the earlier ones. Robin was another.

Ralph

 

[NSguy]

Thanks very much for your replies. I will try and check behind the bell to see if there are any marks.

 

[NSguy]

It's a late 19th century interpretation of an earlier clock. Couvoisier was a noted maker who made many of the earlier ones. Robin was another.

Ralph

Thank you, Ralph. Do you think the case and dial may be from Thiout l'Aîné? The word "Paria" written on the dial seems to be the same form as on this clock:


In an earlier thread, you commented on the horloger Thiout l'Aîné. There seems to be similarities between some components of the two mechanisms. Do you think that this would suggest that my clock is an 18th or 19th century Thiout l'Aîné, but with a largely modern mechanism?

 

[Ralph]

NSGuy, looking at your clock again, I'll back off on my prior comment. I'm not sure of the period. They did make replicas the late 19th century, your hands and dial look early. It is difficult to make a determination without a hands on examination.

Ralph

 

[NSguy]

Thanks again. I will check more closely for a signature inside when I have access to the clock in about two weeks time.

 

[NSguy]

I looked under the bell and there is no signature, only a '7' stamped on the plate behind the bell. Would the lack of signature indicate it is likely a 19th century replica?

 

[jmclaugh]

I looked under the bell and there is no signature, only a '7' stamped on the plate behind the bell. Would the lack of signature indicate it is likely a 19th century replica?

Not in itself no, probably just as many of this type of movement are unmarked as marked.

Is the 7 in the centre at the bottom of the backplate? I only ask as that is the normal place such movements were marked with the pendulum length though not all were.

 

[NSguy]

Yes, in the centre at the bottom in a very small size.

 

[Ralph]

Often the mainsprings will have the maker or finisher's name scratched into the bluing, with a year date. Especially on earlier movements.

The jury is still out.

Ralph

 

[NSguy]

Thanks, Ralph. Is there any easy way to view the main springs or should a professional take a look?