French Ormolu and Porcelain-Mounted Perpetual Calendar Mantel Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1850
This French ormolu and porcelain-mounted perpetual calendar mantel clock was made by Louis-Achille Brocot in Paris circa 1850 and retailed by Tiffany, Young & Ellis of New York.
The cast ormolu case is decorated with ribbon-tied laurels, scrolled feet, and painted porcelain panels depicting cloud-borne cherubs. The upper white enamel chapter ring displays Roman numerals and a visible Brocot escapement with jewelled pallets. Directly below is a circular enamel perpetual calendar dial indicating the months, solar time, day of the week, date, and moon phase. The twin-train drum-shaped movement strikes on a bell, with the dial plate stamped 'A.
BROCOT A PARIS'.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Perpetual calendar mantel clock
- Maker
- Louis-Archille Brocot, Paris
- Height
- 42 cm
- Retailer
- Tiffany, Young & Ellis, New York
- Movement Stamp
- A. BROCOT A PARIS
- Place recorded
- France
- Movement Number
- 3832
- Maker / attribution
- Louis-Achille Brocot
- Perpetual Mechanism Number
- 3873
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt ormolu case surmounted by ribbon-tied laurels and foliage motifs, resting on gadrooned feet. • Upper time dial has Roman numerals, two winding arbors, and an exposed Brocot escapement under the 12 o'clock position. • Lower calendar dial displays an outer month ring, subsidiary day and date dials, and a moon phase opening. • Painted porcelain panels featuring cherubs are positioned flanking the dials and across the lower facade.
- Mechanism and Attribution
- The object features a twin-train drum-shaped movement, with the dial plate stamped 'A. BROCOT A PARIS'. The movement is identified as No. 3832, while the perpetual mechanism is stamped 3873. The source attributes the work to Louis-Archille Brocot, dating the clock to circa 1850. It was retailed by Tiffany, Young & Ellis of New York.
- Case and Decorative Elements
- The clock is housed in an oval-shaped cast ormolu case adorned with ribbon-tied laurels and foliate pendants. It rests on a plinth base supported by gadrooned, scrolled feet. The facade incorporates shaped porcelain panels featuring painted depictions of cloud-borne cherubs. These panels are positioned flanking the dials and across the lower sections of the case.
- Dial Configuration and Timekeeping
- The timekeeping display consists of an upper white enamel chapter ring with a recessed center. A visible Brocot escapement with jewelled pallets and a straight bridge is featured on the dial. A circular enamel 'PATENT' perpetual calendar dial is positioned below, featuring an outer ring for months, a central sweep hand for solar time, and subsidiary dials for the day of the week and date, along with a moon phase aperture.
Identification
- Serial number
- 3832
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The internal movement, strike bell, and adjustment knobs are housed within the drum case and not visible from the front view.
- Research required: Source notes the maker as 'Louis-Archille Brocot' in the lot description while reporting the dial plate is stamped 'A. BROCOT A PARIS'.