A rare miniature French brass striking and alarm lantern clock, circa 1750

Description

The dial

The 6.8-cm enamel dial with Roman numerals and Arabic numerals for the five minute marking. The shaped and engraved hands are made of blued steel and the alarm disc is made of brass.

The movement

The movement is driven by weights and has a duration of thirty hours. It is being regulated by verge escapement in combination with a silk suspended pendulum. The clock strikes the hours on a bell by means of a countwheel. It also has alarm on a bell.

The brass case has four urn finials on the corners carrying the bell cross which was surmounted by a fifth finial. To the front and the sides are pierced brass frets. There are doors to the sides. The clock has four ornamental feet and is suspended to the wall by a hoop and spurs.

Miniature lantern clocks are rare and most of those only have alarm and no striking work. These clocks were probably made for sleeping quarters. This little lantern clock is rare by itself but having striking work makes even more rare.