A FINE FRENCH CLOISONNE ENAMELLED MINIATURE ANGLAISE RICHE C...

Estimate

£1,800 - £2,500

A FINE FRENCH CLOISONNE ENAMELLED MINIATURE ANGLAISE RICHE CASED CARRIAGE TIMEPIECEUNSIGNED, PARIS, LATE 19th CENTURYThe eight-day single train movement with silvered platform lever escapement regulated by sprung bimetallic balance, the backplate stamped with Chinese characters to centre over number 156 to lower left hand corner, the circular white enamel Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minutes beyond the minute track and blued steel spade hands set within rectangular engine-turned gilt brass mask, the bevel-glazed anglaise riche case of Mignonette No. 3 size with turquoise ground stylised polychrome floral trail champleve enamelled hinged carrying handle and conforming decoration bordering the thick top glass, over cavetto cornice, fluted band to frieze and cast Corinthian three-quarter columns to angles with enamelled shafts decorated with polychrome detailed salmon strapwork into a conforming turquoise ground, the rear with pin-hinged glazed door, on cavetto moulded skirt base with fluted band to upper margin over further cloisonne enamelled panels and shallow block feet.9.5cm (3.75ins) high, 5cm (2ins) wide, 4.5cm (1.75ins) deep.Miniature Anglaise riche cased carriage clocks with cloisonne decoration extending to the handles and column uprights are comparatively rare. The stamped Chinese character to the backplate would also suggest that the present clock was supplied for the Chinese market. This stamp is identical to that on the backplate of an engraved centre-seconds clock retailed by L. Vrard and Company, Shanghai and Hankow, which is also included in this sale (see the following lot). This would suggest that the present lot may have also been retailed by L. Vrard.Miniature timepieces are called Mignonettes or 'little darlings' and mostly come in three graded sizes with No. 1 being the smallest.