A FRENCH GILT BRASS CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH ALARM AND ONE-PIECE ...

Estimate

£500 - £700

A FRENCH GILT BRASS CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH ALARM AND ONE-PIECE CASERAINGO FRERES, PARIS, CIRCA 1850The two train eight-day bell striking movement with gilt platform lever escapement regulated by sprung monometallic balance and alarm mechanism positioned at one o'clock sounding on the hour bell via a second hammer, the lower edge of the backplate signed RAINGO FRERES, A PARIS, the rectangular white enamel Roman numeral dial with blued steel moon hands over signature RAINGO F'RES A PARIS and Arabic numeral alarm setting dial to lower margin, the satin-gilt 'Garnier second series' type one-piece bevel glazed caddy moulded case with hinged baluster turned carrying handle over large top, the rear with hinged glazed door and on cavetto moulded skirt base incorporating inset rounded angles.12cm (4.75ins) high with handle down, 8cm (3.125ins) wide, 6.5cm (2.675ins) deep.The firm of Raingo Freres was founded in 1813 by the Belgian Zacharie Joseph Raingo. He was born in 1775, lived in Tournai and worked in Ghent before moving to Paris in 1813. By 1834 the company was being run by his four sons who received an honourable mention in an exhibition in Paris that year. While the Raingo brothers were first recognized as clockmakers, in 1841 they added bronzes and furnishings to their products. Known for the quality of their ormolu (gold plating), by 1860, Raingo Freres had supplied clocks, bronzes to Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia, examples of which are now in the collection of The Louvre. In 1862 the company exhibited at the International Exhibition in London followed by the world exhibitions of 1867, 1878 and 1889 where several medals were awarded including a gold medal in 1898.

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Movement is in clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements. The vendor reports that the clock is not currently keeping time and the regulation lever appears too tight to move hence will most likely require the attention/adjustment of/by a clockmaker before good timekeeping is likely to be achieved. The escapement however appears to be free from any visible defects. The strike and alarm trains are in working condition. The dial has some rubbing to the signature otherwise appears free of visible faults. The cased is generally in very good original condition but with overall moderate wear/discolouration to the gilding. The glasses appear free from visible chips or cracks although the front glass has a small blemish to the centre of the glass (behind the centre of the hands).Clock is complete with a winding key.