Charles X Clock In Alabaster And Gilt Bronze With Rose Garland Dial, Circa 1825, Working

Charles X Clock in Alabaster and Gilt Bronze with Rose Garland Dial, circa 1825, Working

Dimensions: 48 × 26 cm (18.9 × 10.2 in).

French Charles X mantel clock of the so-called borne form, inspired by elements of Classical architecture. The case is crafted in alabaster and gilt bronze and surmounted by a decorative urn. The white enamel dial with Roman numerals is enhanced by a finely cast gilt bronze mount in the form of a garland of roses. The decoration is further enriched with scrolling foliage, cornucopias, palmettes and acanthus friezes.

The original French movement is of the two-train type, one train driving the timekeeping and the other striking the hours and half-hours on a bell. The clock is fitted with a silk-thread suspension pendulum (mouvement à fil), a refined system widely used on French Empire and Charles X clocks.

The movement also retains its traditional count wheel striking system, characteristic of French clocks from the first quarter of the 19th century, before the widespread adoption of the rack striking mechanism. This feature is fully consistent with a dating around 1825.

The original bell is present, and the striking hammer is complete.

The clock is in working order and comes complete with its original winding key and pendulum. As with all early 19th-century mechanical pendulum clocks, its accuracy should not be compared with that of modern timepieces. A slight deviation of a few minutes is entirely normal and is characteristic of this type of mechanism.

Good overall condition, with minor signs of age, including a crack to the alabaster base and a hairline crack to the rear inspection glass.

We prefer collection in Florence. Shipping can nevertheless be arranged by prior agreement.