Clock · Comtoise clock movement

18th-century Comtoise clock movement with rear escapement cock and curved plate

Partially verified

This horological object is an 18th-century French clock movement catalogued under Louis XV - Transition styling, featuring a curved plate and a rear escapement cock according to the dealer. The movement is fitted within a dark rectangular cage structure surmounted by an ornate cast brass pediment featuring a central rooster above clasped hands flanked by birds and foliage. Its convex white enamel dial is signed 'Germain' above the arbor and 'Lunéville' near the bottom, displaying Roman numeral hours, Arabic five-minute numerals, pierced steel hands, and twin winding apertures. Galerie JCMC reports that it is accompanied by two weights and a pendulum.

Front view of the 18th-century clock movement showing the enamel dial signed Germain Lunéville and cast brass rooster pediment — Galerie JCMC / Proantic. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.proantic.com
Category: Clock · Comtoise clock movement
Maker / attribution: Germain (signed on dial)
Reference: 1630103
Catalogue / lot identifier: Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date: 18th century
Country: France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Inscriptions

The clock movement presents a white enamel dial inscribed "Germain" above the central arbor and "Lunéville" below. It features Roman numerals marking the hours, complemented by an outer ring of Arabic numerals in five-minute increments.

Indication of time is provided by pierced dark-toned hands, and two winding arbors are set into the lower portion of the dial face.

Evidence for this section

“White enamel dial inscribed 'Germain' above the central arbor and 'Lunéville' below.”
“Dial features Roman numerals for the hours, outer Arabic numerals in five-minute increments, and two winding arbors.”
“Pierced dark-toned hands indicating the time.”

Housing and Cast Pediment

The upper front of the movement is fitted with an openwork cast brass pediment centered on a rooster perched above clasped hands and flanked by birds.

Directly behind this brass rooster cresting, a bell is visible atop the dark rectangular metal housing that encloses the clock movement.

Evidence for this section

“Cast brass pediment surmounted by a rooster perched above clasped hands and flanking birds.”
“Dark rectangular metal housing with a bell visible directly behind the brass rooster cresting.”

Reported Characteristics and Accessories

The dealer catalogues the object as an "old clock movement with rear escapement cock, curved plate, 18th century" and classifies its style as "Louis 15th - Transition". The internal curved plate and rear escapement cock are not visible from the frontal view.

The listing further notes that the movement is "Sold with its 2 weights and its pendulum", though these accompanying accessories are not depicted in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section

“rear escapement cock, curved plate”
“Style: Louis 15th - Transition”
“Sold with its 2 weights and its pendulum.”

Open research questions

What specific type of escapement is mounted on the rear cock, and how is the curved plate constructed within the movement cage?
Which clockmaker named Germain operating in Lunéville in the 18th century produced or retailed this dial and movement?
What are the specific physical dimensions of the rectangular cage, and what are the forms and specifications of the referenced weights and pendulum?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 18th-century Comtoise clock movement with rear escapement cock and curved plate
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Period	18th century	“Period: 18th century”
Style	Louis 15th - Transition	“Style: Louis 15th - Transition”
Included accessories	Sold with its 2 weights and its pendulum	“Sold with its 2 weights and its pendulum.”
Movement feature	Rear escapement cock and curved plate	“rear escapement cock, curved plate”
Reported condition	Condition of use	“Condition: Condition of use”
Material	Other	“Material: Other”

Visible details

Cast brass pediment surmounted by a rooster perched above clasped hands and flanking birds.
White enamel dial inscribed 'Germain' above the central arbor and 'Lunéville' below.
Dial features Roman numerals for the hours, outer Arabic numerals in five-minute increments, and two winding arbors.
Dark rectangular metal housing with a bell visible directly behind the brass rooster cresting.
Pierced dark-toned hands indicating the time.

Research qualifications

Weights and pendulum noted by the seller are not visible in the photograph.
Internal escapement, rear cock, and curved plate mechanism are concealed inside or behind the case and not visible from the front view.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Proantic: Clock Movement With Rear Escapement Cock, Curved Plate, 18th

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e2a63def25

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.