French Clock Identification & Style question.

[JACKOB43]

I have come across a French Clock I am trying to identify. We have had it for years it runs but is not in the best shape.

I cannot find a photo anywhere and don't know how to describe what the motif is.
(Music/ Arts / Architecture?) the figure is a Sword holding man looking at a small box atop the clock body.
I see it is a Japy Freres movement. But ;

It has no dial glass or door. It has no back cover (or hinge I can see).
The front feet look like they are missing something, or have been replaced with another.
It is ormolu and marble but I cannot tell the date. I can't find any gilt clocks with this motif.
https://mb.nawcc.org/file:///C:\Users\HPPROB~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif Where can I find more information on this assembly? Is it original? What parts are missing?

It has BING in an oval on the back plate.

Any help on its age, design and if it is all original is much appreciated.

Thank you Jack

cab321-395.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 7, 2008

vB import

cab241-320.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 7, 2008

vB import

519f.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 28, 2008

vB import

Sessions Fulton.jpg

• Steven Thornberry
• Mar 27, 2008

vB import

setting.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 26, 2008

vB import

 

[gmorse]

Hi Jack and welcome,

...It has no dial glass or door. It has no back cover (or hinge I can see)...

This would have had a glass dome over it originally, hence the lack of a bezel and glass over the dial, and no back either. It's probably from the third or fourth quarter of the 19th century, and I guess 'Bing' was the retailer.

Ormolu is strictly speaking gilt bronze, and this is in all probability white metal under the gold. Those front feet look OK, it would have stood on a wooden plinth shaped to the glass dome I expect.

Regards,

Graham

 

[harold bain]

I would say the case is most likely alabaster, which needs delicate care in cleaning. Nice clock.

 

[new2clocks]

I have come across a French Clock I am trying to identify. We have had it for years it runs but is not in the best shape.

I cannot find a photo anywhere and don't know how to describe what the motif is.
(Music/ Arts / Architecture?) the figure is a Sword holding man looking at a small box atop the clock body.
I see it is a Japy Freres movement. But ;

It has no dial glass or door. It has no back cover (or hinge I can see).
The front feet look like they are missing something, or have been replaced with another.
It is ormolu and marble but I cannot tell the date. I can't find any gilt clocks with this motif.
https://mb.nawcc.org/file:///C:\Users\HPPROB~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif Where can I find more information on this assembly? Is it original? What parts are missing?

It has BING in an oval on the back plate.

Any help on its age, design and if it is all original is much appreciated.

Thank you Jack

cab321-395.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 7, 2008

vB import

cab241-320.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 7, 2008

vB import

519f.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 28, 2008

vB import

Sessions Fulton.jpg

• Steven Thornberry
• Mar 27, 2008

vB import

setting.jpg

• Jerry Treiman
• Mar 26, 2008

vB import

Hello Jack, and welcome to the board.

As you stated, your time and strike clock was made by Japy Feres, a well respected French maker of clocks. Others may be able to date the clock more accurately, but I would guess the date of manufacture as around 1895 or so.

I am not sure if the dial would have had a glass cover. Is there any evidence that a glass cover once existed, such as hinges? To these eyes, the pictures you supplied do not show evidence of a glass cover. The movement should have a cover or door in the rear to cover the movement.

At first glance, the front feet do not look out of place, until one looks at the rear feet. Others will give their opinions on this issue, but my opinion, FWIW, is that the back feet once looked like the front. The other possibility is that the front feet once looked like the rear feet, but may have been damaged, requiring addition of the brass feet in the front. As I said, others will provide their opinion on this issue.

In any event, you have a wonderful French clock!

Regards.

EDIT: Graham posted at about the same time as I did. His explanation of a glass dome, which I did not consider, seems very plausible.