Antique Gilt Bronze Drum Head Clock with Lions Masks

~ French - Circa 1890 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A superb Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mantel clock, of architectural and classically inspired form, exquisitely cast and finely chased throughout. The movement is mounted in a bronze drum with lions mask handles, superbly modelled with flowing manes and issuing heavy pendant ring drops. It is supported upon scrolled base with trellis-patterned panels.

Email Julie@dragon-antiques.com
or call ++44 1773 829629 to reserve

~~ or ~~

£2195 English Pounds Sterling

Shipping within UK £25

Shipping to USA / Europe £95 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £125 by air fully insured

stock code:

RSC3888

To the top is an elegant flaming urn with pieced handles with a laurel swag. The dial is heavy cast bronze with an engraved minute ring and mounted with porcelain enamel cartouche hours and is complete with original finely cut blued steel hands. The rear door is glazed with frosted glass. The clock is modelled in the round so will display beautifully in the centre of a room or in front of a mirror.

The clock houses a fine French movement by Samuel Marti, renowned for precision and quality. It is presented in excellent, clean running order, having been fully overhauled and tested by our clockmaker. The original pendulum accompanies the movement. It runs for eight days and strikes the hours and half-hours on a bell with a clear, pleasing tone. Please click the video below to hear the strike and see the clock in operation.

The design of this clock is based on the 18th century by the well known case maker Antoine Foullet (1710-1775). He was a cabinet maker who specialised in clockcases. He became master in 1749 and worked from his workshop on the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, Paris. Following his death in 1775, an inventory drawn up lists twenty clocks cases, some made entirely of bronze. Foullet's work is represented in the finest collections including The J Paul Getty Museum. A design drawing of a similar clock can be seen on page 192 of Vergoldete Bronzen by Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Proschel.

A clock of similar design can be seen on page 239 of Les Plus Belles Pendules Francaises by Giacomo and Aurelie Wannenes 2013.

The case is in excellent condition, clean and bright showing hardly any wear or discolouration. The dial is also in very good order overall; there is a chip to the cartouche adjacent to the left-hand winding hole.

Samuel Marti clockmaker's mark on the movement back plate along with the retailer's mark

Complete with original pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Dimensions of clock:	inches	Height 13 1/4", Width 8", Depth 5"
	centimetres	Height 33.5 cm, Width 20 cm, Depth 12.5 cm

About us - All of our clocks are original antiques, we source most of our clocks in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK. We prefer to buy our clocks in original 'dirty' condition. We then clean the cases using a technique we have developed over many years. We employ two qualified clockmakers who overhaul the movements. Movements are thoroughly tested until we are satisfied that they will run trouble free.

Click the movie player below to see the this actual clock run -
(large file, may take a moment to start).