Impressive Polychrome Calamine Pendulum Clock.AD Mougin. France, Circa 1910

This amazing mantel clock, with its impressive sculptural design and beauty, is an antique piece made in France in the early 20th century. It is a pendulum clock made of polychrome calamine: the color and finish are the original, having been cleaned and restored by a professional polychrome restorer, to show in all its glory. The color came under a layer of dirt that was covering all the piece. The clock has an 8-day Paris movement and chimes the hours and the halves it has also been cleansed and tuned to guarantee a perfect working order. The design is in line with the Art Nouveau style, a movement that thrived mainly in decorative arts. The clocks base is composed of two connected small pedestals on which two symmetrical figures stand. These figures depict women dressed half way between the classic antiquity and the early 20th century style. The figures are holding vases on their heads; these vases are connected to the clocks face, located in the center of the group. Over the face there is a couple of reclining Cupids, two charming naked angel-children in a playing attitude. The clocks face is white with black Arab numbers, decorative brass details and straight black hands. It is protected by the original glass pane. The pendulum is strikingly beautiful and is covered by polychrome decoration, just like the rest of the clock. The calamine is painted in two shades: copper for the volutes and the figures skin and golden for the clothes and the details. Last but not least, the clocks movement bears the serial number 6750 and a mark with the inscription A.D. MOUGIN DEUX MEDAILLES, accompanied by a five-pointed star, engraved in the metal. RESTORATION PROCESS: The clock was not in a very good state when we found it. It had a layer of dirt from decades covering it up and down and its color was rather brownish. The pendulum was broken and someone had tried to repair, pretty bad, with a tin solder. The cherub at the top had the two wings broken, but fortunately, both were present. The movement box was not firmly attached and the movement of the clock, was not working at all. The clock was given to a professional restorer who restored the pendulum and wings and adjusted firmly the movement box. The surprise came when the layers of dirt were removed and the colors that we see now appeared. A professional clockmaker examined, cleaned, repaired and adjusted the movement. Now it looks great and works perfectly, giving the hours and half with a delicate sound of the bell. Its outstanding aesthetic beauty and excellent working order turn this clock into a work of art with all the elegance of the Art Nouveau style. Measurements: Width: 14.5 in / 37 cm. Height: 26.3 in / 67 cm.