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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Four glass mantel clock

A Small French Striking Four Glass Clock

Partially verified

Reported by the dealer to date to circa 1875, this French striking four-glass mantel clock is housed in a rectangular gilded brass case fitted with bevelled glass panels and standing on shaped bracket feet. The white enamel dial is made in two pieces, featuring black Roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, a regulation arbor at XII, and an open aperture displaying a visible Brocot escapement with jewelled pallets. According to the seller, the circular movement strikes the hours and half hours on a bell via a rack and snail system. Below the dial hangs a twin-vial mercury-compensated pendulum.

Front view of the gilded brass four-glass clock with exposed Brocot escapement and mercury pendulum
Front view of the gilded brass four-glass clock with exposed Brocot escapement and mercury pendulum — The Antique Clock Co. / Sellingantiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Category
Clock · Four glass mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
SA1037877
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1875
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

Case Design and Construction

The clock is housed in a rectangular gilded brass case. It features bevel-edged glass panels on the sides, with matching glass panels on the front and back, all secured by gilded brass-framed doors.

The structure is supported by shaped bracket feet. The design is intended to provide visibility of the internal components through the glass panels.

Evidence for this section
  • “The gilded brass case and bevel-edged glasses to the sides and matched glasses to the front and back, gilded brass-framed doors.”

Dial and Timekeeping

The timepiece features a two-piece, glazed and fired white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and blued steel moon hands.

Operational features include a regulation arbor positioned above the XII numeral and twin winding arbors in the lower section of the dial. An open aperture beneath the XII allows for the visibility of the Brocot escapement.

Evidence for this section
  • “The two-piece, glazed and fired white enamel dial with regulation at XII, has Roman numerals and finely blued steel moon hands.”
  • “having a Brocot visible escapement.”

Movement and Mechanism

The clock utilizes a circular plated movement. The seller reports that the movement strikes the hours and half-hours on a bell via a rack and snail system.

A twin-tube mercury-compensated pendulum is suspended below the movement housing. No maker's marks or calibre stamps are recorded in the provided text.

Evidence for this section
  • “The circular plated movement with hour and an hour strike upon a bell via the rack and snail strike system”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker marks or serial numbers stamped on the movement plates that are not visible in the available imagery?
  • What is the physical condition of the mercury vials within the pendulum assembly?
  • Is there documented evidence to support the circa 1875 dating beyond stylistic assessment?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A Small French Striking Four Glass Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementBrocot visible escapement“having a Brocot visible escapement”
Striking mechanismRack and snail striking on a bell“circular plated movement with hour and an hour strike upon a bell via the rack and snail strike system”
Case constructionGilded brass case with bevelled glass“The gilded brass case and bevel-edged glasses to the sides and matched glasses to the front and back”
DialTwo-piece white enamel dial with regulation at XII“The two-piece, glazed and fired white enamel dial with regulation at XII, has Roman numerals and finely blued steel moon hands”
Dimensions30 cm high, 17.5 cm wide, 13 cm deep“Height: 11 ¾" or 30 cm Width: 7" or 17.5 cm Depth: 5" or 13 cm”
ProvenancePrivate collection, United Kingdom“Provenance: Private collection – U.K.”
Dimensions30 cm H x 17.5 cm W x 13 cm D“Height: 11 ¾" or 30 cm Width: 7" or 17.5 cm Depth: 5" or 13 cm”
Dealer DatingCirca 1875“CIRCA. 1875”

Visible details

  • Glazed rectangular gilded brass case with thick bevelled glass panels and stepped base resting on bracket feet.
  • Two-piece white enamel dial with Roman numerals and an open aperture beneath XII exposing the Brocot deadbeat escapement.
  • Twin winding arbors situated in the lower section of the dial and a regulation square above XII.
  • Blued steel moon-pattern hour and minute hands.
  • Twin-tube mercury-compensated pendulum suspended below the circular movement housing.

Research qualifications

  • No movement maker name or calibre stamps are reported in the source text or visible on the dial.
  • Striking on a bell via rack and snail mechanism is stated by the dealer but not directly visible from the front image.

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

Consulted source

A Small French Striking Four Glass Clock 19th Century | Sellingantiques

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record e8c5829fa3

Terms in this record

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