A French ‘bamboo’ case carriage clock with oriental porcelain panels, Sandoz, circa 1880.

Description

The dial

The 6.5- cm polychrome porcelain dial has Roman numerals in cartouches on a blue ground with applied gilt branches and a dragon. There are further scenes inspired on oriental laquer decorations and an alarm subsidiary below with signature Gustave Santoz Paris. The finely made fleur-de-lis hands are made of blued steel.

The movement

The movement is driven by two spring barrels and has eight day duration. It is regulated by a platform lever escapement in combination with a bi-metallic balance with adjusting screws. The clock strikes the hours and half hours by means of rack striking. by pushing the repeating button the last hour is repeated. The movement has an alarm which can be activated by winding an auxiliary spring barrel and setting the alarm time.

The case

It is easy to comprehend why this type of case is called ‘bamboo case’ with the stylized bamboo shoots which are incorporated in the design. It is surmounted by a handle and has a beveled glass panel which reveals the balance. Both sides of the case have similar decorated porcelain panels as the dial. The decorations consists of gilt birds and foliage on a blue ground and small panels with landscapes and oriental lacquer inspired ornament. The whole is raised on ‘bamboo’ feet.