French Ebonized Portico Clock
This impressive portico clock dates to the early 1850s. A handsome presentation in ebonized wood and carrying over the popular Empire styling. The case is beautifully accented by gilt brass, beaded molding, marquetry inlay, and string inlay. The stepped pediment is supported on four barley twist columns accented with gilt brass capitals and pedestals, and raised overall on a stepped plinth base.
The time displays on a white porcelain dial with Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. Encompassing the dial is a beautifully decorative embossed gilt brass bezel of grapes and vines motif. Keeping the time within is an 8-day movement that marks the hour and half-hour with a clear bell strike. Timekeeping accuracy is improved by a temperature-compensating pendulum, which in this case is gridiron style. The gridiron is comprised of alternating brass and iron rods which offset each other as they contract and expand due to temperature changes. In this fine example, the rods can be seen through a cut-out in the artfully embellished gilt brass bob featuring the embossed grapes and vines motif that conforms to the bezel.
This imposing French portico clock bears a full restoration and a one-year warranty.
19″H x 10″W x 5 1/2″D
Circa 1850
Original Price $1,250