A rare French gilt brass Chinoiserie grand sonnerie travel clock, circa 1880.

Description

Chinoiserie and Japonism

The fascination with Chinese art in Europe reached its first peak in the mid-18th century during the Rococo period. Objects were made or decorated in a ‘Chinese’ style. These chinoiserie objects fitted in well with the exuberant art of Louis XV. Europeans’ curiosity about an unknown world, known only from stories and picture books, remained. After the end of Japanese isolationism in 1854, a great deal of art and art objects from that country came to Europe. The admiration for these became a major source of inspiration for artists and craftsmen in the second half of the 19th century. In travel clocks, we see this mainly in the ‘Bamboo case’ clocks, which may or may not be fitted with porcelain panels with a chinoiserie decoration. The appeal of this clock lies in the fact that both its shape and decoration are inspired by the Far East. The beautiful case is more like a small table clock than a typical travel clock due to its unusual compact proportions. In addition, the presence of a ‘grand sonnerie’ striking mechanism is a sought-after extra. A rare clock with an elaborate striking mechanism, it is a beautiful and interesting object in any interior.

Bigelow, Kennard & Co. Boston

The 5.3 cm silvered chapter ring has ‘Oriental’ numerals and is signed for the retailer Bigelow, Kennard & Co. Boston. The slender Breguet hands are made of blued steel. The centre is decorated with a patinated relief featuring fleur-de-lis and leaf motifs. Surrounding the dial is a patinated and colored bronze high relief of an oriental landscape with trees, rocks, a small river, and a bird.

Grand sonnerie

The movement is driven by two spring barrels and is of eight-day duration. It is regulated by a platform lever escapement in combination with a balance wheel. The clock strikes ‘grande’ or ‘petite sonnerie’ on two gongs with repetition on demand. The lever for grand-/petite sonnerie/silence is on the bottom. The back plate is marked A*B for Achille Brocot.

Gilt brass

The beautiful case is made of gilt brass and is surmounted by a shaped handle. The moulded top has a beveled glass panel through which the beautiful escapement is clearly visible. This top is ‘supported’ by pilasters that have chinoiserie decoration. The sides have brass relief panels that feature an oriental man on one side and an oriental woman on the other. The moulded base is raised on flat feet.