A FRENCH SMALL MALACHITE INSET BELGE NOIR MARBLE MANTEL CLOC...

Estimate

£250 - £350

A FRENCH SMALL MALACHITE INSET BELGE NOIR MARBLE MANTEL CLOCK WITH ANEROID BAROMETER AND THERMOMETERTHE MOVEMENT BY JAPY FRERES, PARIS, LATE 19th CENTURYThe circular two train eight-day bell striking movement with platform cylinder escapement regulated by sprung monometallic balance vertically planted on the backplate next to stamped diamond lozenge mark H.P. & Co. 2650 and serial number 9844 to left-hand margin, over stamped roundel JAPY FRERES & CIE, G'DE MED. D'HONNEUR to lower margin, the 3 inch circular white enamel Roman numeral dial with blued steel moon hands within key pattern cast surround set behind a hinged bevel-glazed cast brass bezel, the break-arch case with cavetto cornice over aneroid barometer set beneath the clock dial incorporating circular white enamel register annotated in barometric inches and with the usual observations to the upper half, and applied with curved mercury tube FAHRENHEITS THERMOMETER to thelower half, set behind bevel glass with brass recording pointer to centre, with malachite quadrant infill and inscribed scrolling gilt lines to fascia flanked by recessed stylised scroll outline side sections, the rear with hinged brass portal for the clock movement over further fixed disc behind the barometer, on canted moulded breakfronted skirt base inset with further malachite diamond lozenge within inscribed stylised gilt scroll decorated panel infill. 25.5cm (10ins) high, 21cm (8.25ins) wide, 11.5cm (4.5ins) deep.The firm of Japy Freres et Cie was founded by Frederick Japy in 1774 who set-up a modest workshop in Montbeliard as a watch and machine tool maker. Japy expanded his business rapidly and by 1804, the year he was awarded the Legion d Honneur by Napoleon (in recognition for his Brevets in horological machinery), he employed 300 people at his manufactory in Beaucourt. From 1806, he took five of his sons into partnership and the firm expanded adding buildings at Badevel and La Feschotte amongst others to become one of the largest makers of clocks in Europe. The business continued into the Twentieth century but during the inter-war period went into decline and is thought to have finally wound-up in around 1940. A detailed history of Japy Freres et Cie is provided in Allix, Charles and Bonnert, Peter CARRIAGE CLOCKS, Their history and development chapter VI pages 133-48.

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Movement is in relatively clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements; a service may be advisable at some point in the relatively near future. The dial is free form visible damage. The barometer responds to increase in pressure when bag tested hence appears to be in working condition; the thermometer tube is filled and also appears to be in working order. The case has a small loss to the malachite lozenge inset into the fascia of the skirt as well as two vertical cracks to the adjacent panel. There is also a small corner chip to the fillet moulding to the upper right of the same panel; otherwise faults to the case are very much limited t a few very small edge chips and some discolouration/tarnishing to the brasswork of the bezels.Clock does not have a winding key.