Carriage Clock, Mid-20th century

Luxurious carriage clock completely made of hand-engraved golden bronze. This beautiful clock is in great condition, as polished and shiny as the first day. It dates from the mid-twentieth century and its movements work perfectly. The clock chimes the hours and preserves all its original components. Carriage clocks are small spring-driven clocks with no pendulum, which started being produced in France in the early 19th century. They are travel clocks and were designed to be carried away. The firs carriage clock was invented and developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet for Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812. Carriage clocks also differ from mantle clocks in that they have a top handle. As they have no pendulum, these clocks need some system which generates the repetition movement which make them work, so they have something known as escape. The escape mechanism transforms the rotation movement, produced by a weight or a spring, in a precise rotation or oscillation movement which makes the rest of the clock work. We can see the escape through a small glazed aperture at the top of the clock. Apart from the movements, the decoration of the piece is also very appealing. It is fully covered by baroque motives: volutes, floral patterns and caryatids. The golden bronze this clock is made of provides this great piece with a deep bright beauty. The front and the rear are engraved with simple floral motives, while the corners bear lovely and stylized caryatids. The sides are adorned with Pompeiian-style patterns, and the top and the bottom show Renaissance engravings. The face is white with fine black Roman numbers and simple needles with trefoil-shaped ends. It is in great condition, with ho hairs or flaws. The movements work perfectly and they are the crowning touch for this fantastic carriage clock, designed to be the most special piece in the noblest room. Measurements: 70 mm width x 115 mm height.