French Bracket Religieuse Clock With Alarm - Louisxiv Period - Fierville In Caen Circa 1700

Rare so called "French religieuse' alarm bracket  clock signed in front plate  "M. Fierville à Caen" that stands for the clockmaster Michel FIERVILLE, Caen,  France, Louis XIV period,  around 170  0.

The rectangular, veneered  ebonized wooden  case b is surmounted by an arch top with an urn bronze mount finial . The fronton is typical of baroque style reminiscent of the first Haage Huygens pendulum  clocks from  end of  17th century period. The front line with old , dark velvet adorned with red tortoiseshell inlay with partly engraved brass and ebonized wood.

The brass chapter ring is entraved with Roman hours and arabic minutes numerals. The movement is driven by a single barrel and has a duration of two weeks and the plates are joined together by means of well turned baluster pillars. With its original verge escapement in combinaison with a silk suspended pendulum. The alarm mecanism is located at the rear of the movement and is activated by pulling a string at the back of the mecanism. The alarm setting is done using the front circular disc.

By the beginning of 18th century, Michel Fierville is recorded as having the full commissionning of the monumental clock along his counterpart Gautier of Saint Étienne  Abbaye in Caen that was achieved in 1744 (Guillaume le Conquerant  remains are said to be tthere)

Fierville was known working with the  best bronze goldsmiths in  PARIS  like Saint-Germain. Some of his clocks are on display in the  Musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris. 

Dimensions : 41 cms/22.5 cms/12.5 cms