A VERY RARE EARLY FRENCH LANTERN CLOCK PROBABLY CORRESPONDIN...

Estimate

£4,000 - £6,000

A VERY RARE EARLY FRENCH LANTERN CLOCK PROBABLY CORRESPONDING TO ENGLISH 'FIRST PERIOD' WORKTOUSSAINCTS FLEUTRY, PARIS, CIRCA 1645The separately wound trains with iron-cheeks for the click side of each pulley fitted to the greatwheel arbors, the going train now with verge escapement set above the top plate for regulation by a short pendulum swinging behind the frame to the rear, the strike train sounding the hours on a later bell cast with signature DUBOIS ROBERT AUPUY to rim mounted above the frame, via a countwheel with overlift provided by a hoop wheel cut with a two slots, the dial finely engraved with a central rosette beneath fine winged angel flanked by stylised scrolling tulip blooms to upper section opposing generous curved signature Toussaincts Fleurtry AParis to the lower, within applied narrow Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating arrow half hour markers, with fine heavy sculpted steel hand and flowerhead engraved infill to the quadrants, the frame with finely turned generous Doric column corner posts beneath integral distinctive shouldered vase finials, the front applied with symmetrical strapwork scroll-pierced brass fret with fine foliate engraved detail, the left hand side now fitted with an engraved brass fretwork figure of in 17th century style dress incorporating pivoted right arm with a hammer intended to simulate striking the bell as the clock sounds the hour, mounted bedside the domed iron bell bearer capped with a vase finial, with brass panels to the sides and the rear, and on integral ball-turned feet, (no lines and weights).39cm (15.25ins) high, 15cm (6ins) wide, 15cm (6ins) deep.Toussaincts Fleutry is recorded in Tardy DICTIONNAIRE DES HORLOGERS FRANCAIS as being married in Paris, 1644 at the age of 28. Another closely related clock by Toussaincts Fleurty, Paris, is illustrated and described in Loomes, Brian LANTERN CLOCKS & Their Makers pages 88-89 (Figures 7.33-37).The present lot is particularly noteworthy in that it shares many similarities with examples made during the formative years of the English 'first period'. Most obvious amongst these details is the pattern of fret used, which conforms to those seen on clocks mostly dating to the 1630's by London makers such as William Bowyer, James Stevens, Francis Foreman and John Cattle (see White, George English Lantern Clocks page 74, Figures II/69 and 70). The dial engraving is particularly fine in its execution complete with winged angel which was a theme that was popular with London first period makers; the hand is also of an early pattern and is beautifully sculpted. The accurate rendering and quality of the turning to the pillars reflects those on the best early London-made examples whilst the one-piece frame castings are more typical of those subsequently used by French as well as West-Country makers. The movement is very robustly constructed with heavy steelwork and tapered arbors, which again reflects English work from the 'First Period'. The use of steel for the ratchet side of the pulley cheeks is a feature also seen on early English examples. Indeed, a particularly early lantern clock (possibly by William Sellwood) with this feature was sold in these rooms FINE CLOCKS, BAROMETERS & SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 21st April 2021 (lot 151) for £18,000 hammer.