A fine French Morbier wall clock P.A. Brocard, circa 1730

Description

8-day movement with half hour striking and alarm, iron and brass case.

17.6-cm iron dial with brass lining signed below P.A. Brocard A La Chapelle des Bois en Comte, applied brass chapter ring with Roman numerals, pierced brass hour hand and engraved alarm disc, brass spandrels and shutters with engraving Omni Momento Time Momentum, weight driven iron posted movement with verge escapement and long wire pendulum of 8-day duration, half hour with passing strike, rack hour striking with repeat on demand, alarm on a bell, placed on top of the iron case with high pendulum suspension box and to the front a foliate pierced brass fret, iron doors and later wall bracket

In the Morbier area in the North Eastern part of France a few clockmaking families devised a type of clock that would concur France in the end. The black smith tradition of these families is evident in the construction and execution of the movements. It proved to be a very reliable and easy to operate clock that could be shipped all over France even in the first half of the 18th Century. This because the pendulum can be folded and weights and cases could be made at the location where the clock would be sent. Later the type would become known as Comtoise clocks. But the early pieces that are still very individual, smaller and archaic are rare and collectible. This fine example by Brocard has all the qualities that a collector would look for; good signature and motto, original chapter ring and fret, well made movement with beautiful details and finally an original iron case with high pendulum ‘chimney’. For anyone else a beautiful clock that fits into any interior which runs and strikes well.