mantel – It's About Time

Fine Mantel Clock by Henry Marc

Paul Williams — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:45:46 +0000

An attractive French mantel clock in the ‘Pendule portative’ style with a decorative carrying handle. The glass is removed upwards to wind the clock and set the time via the tiny ebony handle. The dial is vitreous enamel showing the makers name and Roman numerals, above the 12 there is a small Brocot dial for adjustment. The clock is of 8 day duration and has a bell strike for the hour and the half hour. The clock can also be run in silent mode by just winding the going side. The case is Rosewood with boxwood inlays of geometric style. A glass aperture to the top and one to each side in a diamond shape. The rear door opens to reveal a fully overhauled mechanism. The clock was made and retailed by Henry Marc, who produced superb clocks throughout the mid 19th Century.

Engraved ‘Four Glass’ Small Mantel Clock

Paul Williams — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:03:55 +0000

A superb French ‘regulator’ mantel clock of the late 19th century. On display within the four very thick bevelled ‘white’ glass panels is a two piece enamel dial in superb condition, with small Roman numerals on the outer dial, as well as the central visible Brocot escapement, numbered ‘7398’, to the reverse of the dial. The recently overhauled 8-day French movement, striking the hour and half hour on a bell, and the sealed mercury compensating pendulum suspended below. Sitting on a plinth base with bracket feet, the attractive floral engraved case has been re-gilded. Sold with a 24 month guarantee.

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Jaeger LeCoultre 1950s Atmos Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:15:45 +0000

A fine example of the classic ‘Atmos Clock’ by Jaeger LeCoultre in a gloss gilt case with rare black dial. Invented in 1928 by Jean-Léon Reutter, the ‘Atmos’ clock was designed to run almost perpetually, driven by a mainspring which is wound by changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. In 1935, Jaeger LeCoultre took over production of the Atmos clock, developing a second, more reliable design – Atmos II. Contained in an airtight chamber, a liquid and gaseous ethyl chloride expands and contracts with changes in temperature, compressing and releasing a spring, which in turn slowly winds the mainspring. A 1 degree change in temperature is enough to run an Atmos clock for 4 days! The timekeeping is controlled by a torsion pendulum, suspended on a thin wire and ‘twisted’ one direction and then the other with power from the mainspring, moving much slower than a typical pendulum clock, and consuming far less energy. Being self powered, the clock can run completely independently, requiring virtually no human intervention, besides the occasional servicing or timekeeping adjustment. Non-striking, this design also means that the movement runs silently, no ticking! This clock would be an Atmos III, the movement stamped with serial number 48430, meaning it would’ve been manufactured somewhere between 1950 and 1959, most likely around 1954. The case is gloss gilt brass, in two parts, the removable top cover, with all glass panels in excellent condition, sitting securely on the stylish brass base. The base is supported by three hidden feet, which can be adjusted from within the case, centering the bubble of the spirit level built into the base plate to ensure perfect balance, and efficiency of the movement. Within the glass panels can be seen the black chapter ring, with Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12, and faceted gilt batons between, as well as the fine Atmos movement, all in brilliant condition, with the suspended pendulum turning slowly below. To secure the pendulum during transport, there is a lever underneath the base, which, at the very end of a pendulum turn, just before it begins to spin the other way, can be moved all the way to the right to secure it in place, making it possible to move the clock without damaging the wire upon which the pendulum hangs. This clock has been recently overhauled and is sold with a 24 month gurantee.

Charles Frodsham – Pendule D’Officier

Paul Williams — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:01:37 +0000

An extremely rare carriage clock or ‘Pendule d’officier’ with one of the finest cases we have ever seen. These were made from the early 1800s through to 1910’s and this one dates to around 1914. Running for a week on a full wind, and having the symbol of eternity, the snake consuming itself for the handle. The dial on the clock is excellent, hand painted with swags of flowers between the numerals and small gilt flowers joinng them. Wonderful gilt highly detailed hands, signed by Charles Frodsham of 27 South Molten Street, London. Charles Frodsham was established in 1848 ( after a partnership with John Arnold ) Born on the 15 April 1810 – 11 January 1871 he was a distinguished English clock, watch and chronometer maker establishing the firm of Charles Frodsham & Co, which remains in existence as the longest continuously trading firm of chronometer manufacturers in the world ! The case is constructed of French Oak then covered in a red Tortoiseshell style resin veneer, inlaid with brass stringing and edging and having ormulu mounts. Sold with our 24 month guarantee.

Pendule d’Officier With Silvered Dial

Paul Williams — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:12:08 +0000

A very attractive Parisian mantel clock or Pendule d’Officier of good size and colour. This style of clock was invented in the late 18th century, designed by Breguet for Napoleon to be carried by his officers (pendule d’officier – officer’s clock) to ensure they kept good time whilst also being robust enough for frequent transport! The case is a bright ormolu, sitting on detailed bun feed with very nice floral cast brass features decorating the top, front, and sides, as well as the classic ouroboros handle, the snake consuming itself, symbolising the eternity of time. The clock has a beautifully engine turned silvered dial, with detail to the outer and inner sections and a smooth chapter ring with Arabic numerals. The hands are particularly ornate, and sit nicely against the dial, with a convex glass front and frosted glass to the rear. The 8-day movement strikes on a gong every hour and half hour. Circa 1890.

Fine Mantel Clock by Raingo Freres

Paul Williams — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 16:18:19 +0000

An attractive French mantel clock with a silk suspension in the ‘Pendule portative’ style with a decorative carrying handle. The glass is removed upwards to wind the clock and set the time via the tiny ebony handle. The dial is vitreous enamel showing the makers name and Roman numerals, it does have very slight chips around the winding holes but you have to be very close to see them! The clock is of 8 day duration and has a bell strike for the hour and the half hour. The case is Rosewood with boxwood inlays of geometric style. A glass aperture to the top and one to each side in a diamond shape. The rear door opens to reveal a fully overhauled mechanism stamped with the Raingo stamp. The clock was made and retailed by Raingo of Paris who produced superb clocks throughout the mid 19th Century. Zacharie Joseph Raingo (1775 – 1847), a clockmaker was born in Belgium in 1775. Z.J.Raingo specialised in creating astronomical or Orrery clocks. One of these a planetary pendulum clock made in 1824, was purchased by King George IV of England and is now housed in Windsor Castle. When servicing this clock we discovered that the spring had been lightly scratched with the date 1846, we think this may date the clock quite accurately.

Arnold & Frodsham ~ No 736.

Paul Williams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:24:12 +0000

It’s not often you will have the opportunity to buy a rare twin fusee carriage / mantel clock of small proportions made by Arnold & Frodsham – two of Englands finest makers.
John Roger Arnold had a prestigious clock and watch shop and workshops at 84 The Strand. He was the apprentice of his father John Arnold and Abraham Louis Breguet. He formed a business with Edward John Dent (of Big Ben fame – the Westminster Clock) between 1830 and 1840, becoming Arnold & Dent. In 1843, when J.R. Arnold died suddenly, Dent opened a shop at 82 The Strand while Charles Frodsham bought the Arnold’s business and premises at 84 The Strand, becoming Arnold & Frodsham. Interestingly, this clock has “Arnold, 84 Strand, London No 736” marked on the dial, and to the backplate lower corners “Charles Frodsham 84 Strand” (see pictures), so I think we can assume that this clock was started by Arnold but finished and sold by Frodsham after Arnold’s demise . The clock is bell striking with a pull repeat. The engraved and detailed brass/gilt dial and fine ebonised case in the Chinese pagoda style, popular of the period. Particularly small in size and having a miniature chain fusee movement of superb quality with beautiful finishing throughout. The original ‘balance wheel’ lever escapement is visible through the top glass. A very attractive and interesting clock, and possibly one of the last Arnold made.

Duval á Paris – ‘Pendule Portative’

Paul Williams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:24:09 +0000

An attractive example of a French mantel clock known as a pendule portative, designed to be carried around the home, with brass handle at the top and silk suspension to ensure reliable timekeeping whilst maintaining portability. This clock has a nicely coloured rosewood case, with fine boxwood inlays and marquetry, removable panel at the rear and small lenticel at the top to view the escapement within. The dial is engine turned and silvered, complete with bevelled glass cover and signed Duval á Paris. Made circa 1850.

Valogne a Paris – Pendule Portative

Paul Williams — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 09:45:19 +0000

In the many years we have been dealing in fine clocks we have only ever seen two of these . A beautiful small clock which has Day and Date sub-dials too (In French ) signed Valogne of Paris who was recorded working around the mid 1800’s and produced fine clocks for retail in London and Paris. It is recorded that Valogne was supplying amongst others the firm of Dent in London. in 1877 Valogne, described as an horloger à Londres, was introduced to the Chambre Syndicale de l’Horlogerie Paris by none other than Alfred Drocourt as a possible ‘member adherent’, at the time Drocourt was also supplying Dent with carriage clocks too. The design of this particular clock is like no other and is a rare find. The enamelled dial is close to perfect with only a couple of very minor dots near the hand center. The case is Ebony and ebonised with brass inlays and engraved with a fine decorative handle to the arched top . Circa 1840-50 .
Sold fully restored which involves completely dismantling the movement , removing the springs , de-greasing and re-greasing , ultrasonically cleaning all parts and giving our 24 month Guarantee .

Laine a Paris – Pendule

Paul Williams — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 07:53:41 +0000

A fine and slim Rosewood mantel clock with boxwood line inlays and marquetry decoration . The round ‘engine turned’ silvered dial showing Roman numerals and blued hands in the Breguet style. This clock has a bell strike on the hour and one for the half hour. This clock has ‘countwheel’ strike which means that you can choose to run the clock silently if you wish. This early ‘pendule portative’ as they are known in France is a truly portable clock as it has a silk suspension, this means you do not have to worry about removing the pendulum if placing the clock in a different room. Circa 1830-50. The movement is stamped Laine a Paris and has the number 430. There are clocks by Laine in museums and collections. On the inner edge of the glass there are two very small chips which are only noticeable if looking closely, the glass is the original so we have chosen to leave it but if the purchaser would like a new glass, we can arrange that, of course.
Sold fully restored which involves completely dismantling the movement , removing the springs , de-greasing and re-greasing , ultrasonically cleaning all parts and giving our 24 month Guarantee .