Mantel Clock from Grandmother's House - What is it?

[MapleGirl]

Hello,
My Grandmother has given me her antique mantel clock and I'm hoping to get some information on it (what kind, where was it made, how old, how to get it working/hang pendulum)
There are no identifying labels, so I have no idea who made it. Inside, next to the bell, is a stamped/engraved number "15001".
The clock weighs a ton! The interior seems to be stone or cement. There is a covered brass dish on top where we keep the key. The front has a glass door covering the face. The face has 2 key holes (is 1 for the minute hand and 1 for the hour hand?). The back has a glass swing door as well. If you lift the clock up you can reach up inside and hang the pendulum, but I'm not sure how to hang it and set it swinging properly.

Does anyone know what kind of clock this is or where I can learn more about it?

 

[harold bain]

Hi, Maplegirl, welcome to the message board. Your clock is French, likely dates to around 1875 or so. You might find a makers stamp on the back of the movement under the bell (just unscrew the nut on it). Removing the bell will also make it easier to install the pendulum. Nice black marble clock.

 

[Tinker Dwight]

Usually the key on the right is for the time and
the one on the left is for the strike.
Some clocks strike only the hour count while
others also do one strike at the half hour.
Make sure when you lift it, you lift with your finger
under it. The slabs are glued together with glue
that is more than 100 years old. Never lift from
the top or sides.
Although, call black marble, it is really black slate.
It can be easily chipped so be careful.
Tinker Dwight

 

[MapleGirl]

Thank you Tinker and Harold. What is this type of clock called?

 

[harold bain]

I suppose a mantel clock. Or more specifically, a French marble mantel clock with Garniture on top.

 

[Burkhard Rasch]

there´s a book written especialy on these by Niclas Thorpe:The French Marble Clock.It´s not expensive and You can learn allmost everything about these valuable and often underrated clocks,try to get a copy!
Burkhard