Bronze Wall Clock, 19th Century.

Gorgeous wall clock with bronze box and Japy Freres movement, in very good condition and perfect working order. The clock stands out for its decorative power. The bronze box shows off an awesome decoration, very elegant and full of classic and natural motives. The clock was manufactured in France in the 19th century so as well as a great decorative item it is also a wonderful antique. It mounts 8-days Paris movement which has been fully checked and tuned so it currently works like new. The clock chimes the hours and the halves. The bronze box is shaped as a shield and is composed of a lot of engraved and embossed motives. The bottom is trimmed by a bouquet over which a medal stands. Over the medal there is a diamond trellis that lightens the piece. The clocks face, white and with black Arab numbers, mounts golden metal filigree hands. The sides are adorned with bronze garlands composed of leaves and fruits, performed with a remarkable realism. The whole piece is crowned by a stately classic vase, a stylized and elegant detail. Last but not least, the clocks movement bears the manufacturers name (JAPY FRERES) and the inscription MEDAL DHONNEUR engraved in the brass surface. We can also see the serial number 18705.This stunning wall clock is a real collectors item for several reasons: its intrinsic beauty, its ancient age and its undeniable quality. Measurements: Width: 12.2 in / 31 cm. Height: 25.5 in / 65 cm.History of Japy Freres Frédéric Japy (1749-1812) was a pioneer in the "art" of industrialization and manufacturing, not only watches/ clocks, but of manufacturing in general. Watches/ clocks were made individual, by hand, by one or more people and then assembled. Like Ford did with cars, starting production lines for cars, at one place concentrated, Japy did the same around 1770-1812 by manufacturing pocketwatches and clocks in basic production lines at one place concentrated at Beaucourt (his native town) in France. In very short time the production was more then double the usual way. In 1806 three of his sons (Pierre,"Fritz" and Louis) took over the business and founded the trademark "Japy Freres". The "golden age" to the japy freres dynasty was during the 1850-1930 years, by manufacturing watches/ clocks that the "common man" could buy. Japy Freres also created the machines or modified machines to do this. Because of production amount/ speed and lower prices Japy Freres got many contracts by different army's to deliver watches and clocks.