Clock on a pedestal

[GRITS1944]

I just bought a clock that sits on a pedestal. It is about 6 feet tall. Gorgeous wood with inlaid flowers. Can't seem to find a mark of any kind on it. Would sure like to know more about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

Hi, Grits, and welcome to the message board!

What a gorgeous clock! It appears to be French. I think I'm correct in saying that based on its style it could be 18th or 19th century, or a 20th century reproduction. If you could provide a photograph of the movement, we could tell you more.

 

[antiekeradio]

3 trains, nut on minute hand, minute hand from stamped sheet metal... thats a 20th century repro for sure!!
actually, this type of clock has been made in a numer of periods, each period very similar on the outside, but very different inside!!!

first period: France, 1780-1830. Usually, large rectangular movements of exquisite quality.
second period: France, 1850-1890. Smaller rectangular movements of very high quality, very similar to the rectangular "oeil de boeuf" movements. Usually 14-day duration.
third period: Germany, 1900-1940. Skeletonised rectangular movements of mediocre / budget quality. Same as we find in salon regulators etc.

postwar replica's are usually smaller, so that doesn't really count as another period

This clock is a fine example of the fact that in the third period, even while the movements were much more cheaply made than the older examples, the cases were still top-notch.
Another giveaway is the casting on the pendulum, it is much 'softer' and less detailed than the older types were.

 

[Sooth]

Without seeing the movement, I can pretty much tell that it's a reproduction. Clues are the hands, pendulum, and the fact that it's a three train (probably a Hermle westminster on 4-5 rods). The case and pedestal are quite nice, though.