Fine Antique French Miniature Porcelain Panel Carriage Clock Ca 1890 8 Day

French Sub-Miniature Gilt Brass Porcelain Panel Carriage Clock, circa 1890

Description

A particularly fine and beautifully documented French sub-miniature eight-day carriage timepiece, circa 1890, housed in an elegant gilt-brass corniche case with contrasting silvered decorative banding.

The clock is distinguished by its finely painted porcelain side panels, depicting two elegantly dressed young women in 18th-century costume within garden settings, one playing a lute and the other a flute. The miniature scale and quality of the painted decoration make this an especially attractive example.

The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals and is framed by a gilt mask with finely engraved decoration. The clock is powered by an eight-day mechanical movement with cylinder escapement and retains its original-style winding key.

The case is surmounted by an unusually decorative hinged gilt-brass carrying handle.

Approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) high with the handle and 2 inches (5.08 cm) without the handle.

Provenance

The clock has particularly strong documented provenance and is accompanied by its original Derek Roberts Antiques sales invoice dated 30 July 1990, describing it as a “Subminiature Carriage Timepiece with Two Porcelain Panels” and recording a purchase price of £2,100.

It is additionally accompanied by a Derek Roberts Antiques insurance valuation, also dated 30 July 1990, providing a detailed description of the clock and giving a replacement value at that time of £2,750.

Further period catalogue documentation accompanies the clock, describing the miniature carriage timepiece and recording a price of £3,800.

An exceptionally charming late-19th-century French carriage clock combining miniature proportions, finely painted porcelain panels and unusually comprehensive period documentation.

France, circa 1890.