Clock · Carriage clock

Anglaise Riche Variant Carriage Clock with Grand Sonnerie

Partially verified

This French carriage clock features an Anglaise Riche variant gilt brass case with bowed glass sides, spiral fluted corner columns bearing Corinthian capitals, and a top carrying handle. As reported by the auction source, it houses an eight-day, three-train movement with a lever platform escapement and cut bimetallic balance. The striking mechanism sounds grand or petit sonnerie quarters on two gongs, repeating on demand, with a chime selection lever situated in the base. The front presents a matte gilt mask with a white enamel Arabic chapter ring, pierced rosette center, blued steel distaff hands, and a lower subsidiary alarm dial.

Front view of the Anglaise Riche variant grand sonnerie carriage clock — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bidsquare.com
Category: Clock · Carriage clock
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 207
Source-reported date: circa 1885
Source-reported place: 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 Architecture and Decorative Metalwork

The clock is housed in an Anglaise Riche variant gilt brass case measuring 8.5 by 5 by 4 inches. Its structure features bowed curved glass side panels fitted between a molded top and base, each bordered with a narrow fluted band. The four outer corners are framed by spiral-fluted columns with Corinthian capitals.

Mounted to the upper section is a carrying handle with a spiral-twisted grip, positioned on the top panel alongside an on-demand repeat push-button. The auction record notes that the brass case has been polished and lacquered, with spotting and minor tarnish on the base, a replaced rear door pull, and good glass.

Evidence for this section

“the case with bowed sides, and on a molded base below a narrow, fluted band, the corners with spiral fluted columns with Corinthian capitals, and molded top with fluted band and carrying handle”
“case polished and lacquered, base with spotting and minor tarnish, rear door pull replaced, glasses good”
“Hinged top carrying handle featuring a spiral-twisted central grip and an on-demand repeat push-button on the top panel.”

Dial Configuration

The front display features a matte gilt dial mask set with an annular white enamel chapter ring bearing Arabic numerals. Visible within the center of the chapter ring is a pierced circular rosette. Time is indicated by blued steel distaff hands.

Positioned below the main chapter ring at the 6 o'clock position is a separate subsidiary white enamel alarm dial. The seller's condition notes state that the time dial has a short hairline crack at 9:00, with the hands, mask, and other dial-related components described as good.

Evidence for this section

“matte, gilt dial mask with arabic numeral white enamel chapter ring, blued steel distaff hands, and subsidiary alarm chapter below 6:00”
“time dial with short hairline at 9:00, hands, mask, and other dial related components good”
“Matte gilt dial mask set with an Arabic numeral white enamel chapter ring and pierced circular central rosette.”

Reported Movement and Striking Complications

Internal movement components are not visible in the provided exterior photograph, and mechanism descriptions derive from the cataloguer's text. The movement is documented as an eight-day, three-train configuration regulated by a platform lever escapement with a cut bimetallic balance, attributed to France circa 1885.

The acoustic complications comprise grand or petit sonnerie quarter striking sounded on two gongs, with an on-demand repeat mechanism for the last hour and quarter. A lever for chime mode selection is located in the base. The auctioneer reported the movement as running, striking, and repeating correctly, with a functional alarm.

Evidence for this section

“8 day, three train movement with lever platform and cut bimetallic balance, sounding grand or petit sonnerie quarters on two gongs, and repeating the last hour and quarter on demand, the base with lever for chime mode selection”
“movement good, running, striking, and repeating correctly, alarm functional, circa 1885”

Open research questions

Are there maker's marks, serial numbers, or foundry stamps concealed on the backplate or behind the dial mask (e.g., Drocourt, Jacot, or Margaine)?
What markings or engraved indicators are present around the chime selection lever on the underside of the base?
Does the lever platform escapement bear an individual escapement maker's stamp or numbering?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Anglaise Riche Variant Carriage Clock with Grand Sonnerie
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Origin	France	“France, a large Anglaise Riche variant carriage clock”
Movement Duration and escapement	8 day, three train movement with lever platform and cut bimetallic balance	“8 day, three train movement with lever platform and cut bimetallic balance”
Striking Mechanism	Grand or petit sonnerie quarters on two gongs	“sounding grand or petit sonnerie quarters on two gongs, and repeating the last hour and quarter on demand”
Dimensions	8.5in x 5in x 4in	“Dimensions: 8.5in x 5in x 4in”
Date of Production	circa 1885	“circa 1885”
Case Finish and Condition Note	Polished and lacquered brass with base tarnish, a replaced rear door pull, and a dial hairline at 9:00	“case polished and lacquered, base with spotting and minor tarnish, rear door pull replaced, glasses good, time dial with short hairline at 9:00”
Chime Selection Control	Selection lever situated in the base	“the base with lever for chime mode selection”

Visible details

Gilt brass Anglaise Riche variant case flanked by spiral-fluted corner columns with Corinthian capitals.
Bowed curved glass side panels fitted between the molded top and base sections.
Matte gilt dial mask set with an Arabic numeral white enamel chapter ring and pierced circular central rosette.
Small subsidiary enamel alarm dial positioned below the primary dial mask at 6 o'clock.
Hinged top carrying handle featuring a spiral-twisted central grip and an on-demand repeat push-button on the top panel.

Research qualifications

No maker's mark is identified in the auction record.
Movement trains, escapement platform, and rear door are not visible in the provided photograph; operational status relies on auctioneer description.

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