Posted 11 years ago
Fitsandgaps
(1 item)
I bought this piece 3 years ago. I purchased it from an antique dealer, who purchased it from an estate. It's 27 inches tall, 12 inches wingtip to wingtip, and 9 1/2 inch wall mount to nose. It weighs about 20+ pounds. It has a French movement that chimes the hours and one chime on the half hour. There are 3 matching serial numbers on it..... One on the back of the dial written in ink with quill (or like writing utensil ), one on the back plate of the movement, and if you take the movement out its stamped on the side of the front glass hinge frame that the movement is mounted on. There isn't a makers mark or signature on the case or movement, and the only identifier that seems to be a tale-tale of the maker would be the underlined "D.F". The material is hard for me to determine. It's very detailed down to the individual fibers of the feathers of the wings, but has a few very very small holes from casting like brass. So I don't know if it's brass, bronze, or another material due to the patina. While researching it, I can't find anything even remotely close to it, and describing it.... Well.... I can't seem to put a rational description on it! It doesn't fit any standardized category of anything I can find. But I do love it, and it's always a conversation piece when someone comes over! I tell them it's a mid to late 1800s, wall mounted cherub bust sculpture clock, with a French movement..... "I think"!
I would love a more accurate description, or any information that could be offered as to who, what, where, when, or why this clock was made.
Just was going to say it reminds me of a old scuba helmet (the top part of clock)...so maybe it is some SEA GODDESS?? As an old scuba helmet on top of her head is what it looks like to me ??
?? ?? ??
Just throwing it out there.......................will look around myself too...
Found something about a DF in Geneva in a old Clock book.
** See page **636** of 846 pages (takes a while to LOAD) as a little note there about a DF under AUBORN there. Looks like they might have changed their name so maybe that is why nothing much comes up on the net
https://archive.org/details/oldclockswatches00britten
Said there under FORMER CLOCK AND WATCH MAKERS:
""AUBERT, Jean Jacques (Paris) 1737.........the says was DF Geneva 1820.......then says afterwards partnered with C.J. Klaftenberger in London.... Klaftenberge 1835 - 1842""
?? ?? ?? So not sure if that IS related or not ?? As all I could find...
What a unique and interesting clock.
If nothing pops up on C.W., try posting it here: http://mb.nawcc.org/forumdisplay.php?9-Clocks-General-%2818387-161828%29VSa You'll need to register as a Message Board member but it's free.
Neat link antiquerose! I'm bookmarking that one.
I agree with you antique rose.... Aubert was on my radar as one of my three possibilities. And it wouldn't hurt my feelings that the preferred clockmaker of monarchy made my clock..... The issue is that I don't have one of his makers marks to compare it too. David fronmiller was another of my prospects.... But same issue, no mark to compare it too. My third option is Moreau.... I have circumstantial evidence to show that he may have made this... And found a clock-lamp with very similar traits, clock in orb above the head of a woman. Phineals in the same locations, different style..... And the serial number on the back of the dial. But I have no solid evidence to prove it.
I appreciate all your efforts, help me out, tell your friends, I'll do the same for you!
I believe this orb on this lamp-clock may be a shared part with my clock.
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/french-figural-standing-newell-lamp-w-clock-22-c-e13fc53d76
I think these words may help in Search ((??)):
Globe Ormolu Wall Clock
As I think the top part is called a GLOBE ORMOLU (??)
AWESOME!!