French Silver Mantel Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1914
This French silver-cased mantel clock is a timepiece of early 20th-century manufacture. The case is constructed from silver and is shaped with curved, decorative feet and complex, scrolling leaf and vine motifs.
Its surface treatment alternates between polished and matte textures. The clock face is white enamel with a 2-inch diameter, featuring Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for five-minute intervals. Time is indicated by silver-toned openwork hands. An 8-day drum movement powers the clock and is fitted with an English lever escapement. The case bears hallmarks for French silver, alongside London import marks for 1914 and the mark of importer Charles Stuart Harris.
The clock is accompanied by its winding key.
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
- Mantel clock
- Importer
- Charles Stuart Harris
- Dimensions
- 23cm x 13cm x 8.5cm
- Escapement
- English lever
- Import Marks
- London, 1914
- Case Material
- Cast and decorated silver
- Dial Diameter
- 2 inches
- Movement Type
- 8-day drum timepiece
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Auguste Leroi (Paris), imported by Charles Stuart Harris (London)
Design
- Case and Dial
- The clock features a cast silver body characterized by its intricate, flowing design. The structure is heavily influenced by curvilinear motifs, incorporating foliage and vine patterns that are distributed across a base with outward-curving supports. The face of the clock is crafted from white enamel with a diameter of two inches. It utilizes black Roman numerals for the primary hour track, complemented by an outer ring showing five-minute intervals in Arabic numerals. Silver-colored filigree hands move over the dial, which is protected by a hinged cast-silver bezel. A winding point is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark.
- Visible features
- • Silver-cased mantel clock with Rococo-style casting • Enamel dial with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute track • Integral winding aperture located at the six o'clock position • Ornate cast-silver case with scrolling foliage
- Marks and Attribution
- The object was subsequently imported into the United Kingdom, indicated by the presence of specific London import hallmarks. These marks date the importation of the piece to 1914. The casing also carries the specific mark of the importer, Charles Stuart Harris, a well-known entity in the London trade during this period. The documentation suggests these stamps are critical indicators of the object's commercial history and transition between the French and British markets.
- Movement and Mechanics
- The movement is a standard 8-day drum timepiece, noted for the absence of striking or chiming complications. The mechanical heart of the object is an English lever escapement, which regulates the timekeeping. According to the provided documentation, the movement has been serviced and overhauled to ensure functional operation. The object includes a dedicated winding key. Collectors are advised to verify the performance of the spring and escapement independently as part of a routine assessment of the clock’s technical condition.
Identification
- 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: Presence of a small crack on the enamel dial near the 2 o'clock position
- Research required: Slight shading visible on the dial between the 6 and 7 o'clock positions