Small Japy Fils Drum Clock. 1920's-30's. Working.

Small Art Deco style Drum Clock with Japy Fils machinery from France, 1855, made in the 1920's or 1930's in England. Elegant solid wood case with root wood front panels. The duality of color based on both the grain of the wood, with in the parts decorated in black, which make this piece very decorative. The clock sits on a rectangular base of geometric shapes, where black predominates. On the front are two original gilt bronze coin backs, with the profile of Queen Elisabeth (Gratia Regina D:F. Elisabeth II) and King George VI (Georgius VI D:G. B.R. Rex). The watch case has an original oval shape supported by two black outer scrolls. It has a simple white dial with Roman numerals and simple black metal hands. Attached front protective convex glass that protects the dial, in perfect condition. The case back has a circular door that reveals the movement of the watch. It has an 8-day Paris movement, with hour and half-hour chime. The movement is signed and dated: JAPY FILS, and the date: 1855. This fantastic watch is in perfect condition, with the revision done and the machinery in perfect condition. All parts are original. The first clocks, made with weights, were necessarily hung on the wall. With the invention of the spring mechanism in the 17th century it was possible to unhang them and move them from place to place. These first clocks did not appear in France until 1750, and it took a decade for them to become established in England. They were commonly called mantel clocks because of the place where they were placed in the house, around which the whole family gathered. The designs would evolve from the most baroque to the most classical forms as in this example.Japy Frédéric (1749-1812) was the founder of the Japy Frères and Cie watch factory in Beaucourt, France. He was an important watchmaker and inventor, highly respected and admired in his time. The company was one of the best in terms of industrial watch manufacturing. His brother, Adolphe Japy, will have a great impact on the industrial development of mass production of watches. Adolphe was an important man of the time, he held the French Legion of Honor and was a former mayor of Beaucourt. The Japy Brothers pieces are considered as the excellence of the French watchmaking industry obtaining numerous medals for their watches from 1919 to 1980. Elegant watch perfect for both a classic and modern environment. Measures: 24 x 22 x 10 cm