Clock · Comtoise wall clock movement

Antique French Comtoise Clock Movement with Pendulum and Weights

Partially verified

This lot features an antique French Comtoise clock movement accompanied by its pendulum, weights, and a key, as catalogued by Vickers & Hoad. The primary photograph reveals an ornate repoussé brass fronton framing a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and inner minute markings. Suspended from the movement is an elaborate pierced gridiron pendulum ending in a lyre-form bracket and a broad circular brass bob, flanked by two cylindrical iron driving weights.

Antique French Comtoise clock movement with repoussé brass surround, gridiron lyre pendulum, and weights — Vickers & Hoad. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.invaluable.com
Category: Clock · Comtoise wall clock movement
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 639
Source-reported date: Not established
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

Object Classification and Configuration

The lot is catalogued by auction house Vickers & Hoad under the description "Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key". The listing does not provide detailed dimensions or historical documentation.

The visible assembly comprises a clock movement structure mounted behind an ornamental brass surround, accompanied by two hanging weights and a long pendulum assembly. While the cataloguing records the inclusion of a key alongside the movement, weights, and pendulum, internal frame details and movement mechanics are not documented in the listing text.

Evidence for this section

“Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key”

Dial and Repoussé Surround

Visual examination of the face shows a circular white enamel dial framed by an elaborate relief-decorated repoussé brass surround. The dial is configured with primary black Roman numerals marking the hours and an inner track of Arabic numerals indicating minutes.

Any workshop signatures, regional place names, or maker marks that may be present on the enamel dial are not legible in the cataloguing photograph, leaving specific maker attribution unrecorded in the source material.

Evidence for this section

“White enamel circular dial with black Roman hour numerals and inner Arabic minute markers.”
“Elaborate relief-decorated repoussé brass surround framing the circular dial.”

Pendulum, Driving Weights, and Key

Suspended below the movement is a gridiron-style pendulum rod featuring decorative pierced bars leading downward to a lyre motif and a large circular brass bob. Flanking the pendulum assembly are two dark, heavy cylindrical driving weights.

Although the auction title states that the lot includes a key, no winding key is distinctly identifiable in the single auction photograph. Internal mechanical assemblies, including wheel trains, escapement, and striking work, remain obscured behind the dial plate and are not described in the auction text.

Evidence for this section

“Gridiron-style pendulum rod with pierced decorative bars leading to a lyre motif and large circular brass bob.”
“Two heavy, dark cylindrical driving weights suspended behind the pendulum assembly.”
“Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key”

Open research questions

Is any maker or town inscription visible upon closer examination of the white enamel dial?
What specific movement type, escapement, and striking mechanism are fitted to the movement frame?
Is the winding key mentioned in the auction description included, and does it fit the winding squares?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Antique French Comtoise Clock Movement with Pendulum and Weights
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Lot Number	639	“Lot 639 : Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key”
Description	Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key	“Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key”
Auctioneer Location	Sydney, Australia	“Vickers & Hoad Sydney, Australia”
Auction Date	September 23, 2017	“September 23, 2017, 11:00 AM AEST”
Estimate	200 AUD - 300 AUD	“Est: $200 AUD - $300 AUD”

Visible details

White enamel circular dial with black Roman hour numerals and inner Arabic minute markers.
Elaborate relief-decorated repoussé brass surround framing the circular dial.
Gridiron-style pendulum rod with pierced decorative bars leading to a lyre motif and large circular brass bob.
Two heavy, dark cylindrical driving weights suspended behind the pendulum assembly.

Research qualifications

Internal movement plates, escapement, and mechanical condition are obscured behind the dial plate.
Maker inscription on the dial face is illegible in the catalogue photograph.
The winding key described in the auction listing is not distinctly visible in the single photograph.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Antique French comtoise clock movement has pendulum, weights and a key

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 28a2817a45

Terms in this record

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