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French
Gilt-Brass Skeleton Clock by Verneuil of Paris, c. 1810 |
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| An exceptional and elegant example
of the innovative skeleton clocks produced by an elite group of
Paris clockmakers in the first quarter of the 19th century. While
most skeleton clocks were mechanically basic, with the emphasis
on their aesthetics, makers like Verneuil transcended both disciplines,
creating a handful of clocks both technologically and aesthetically
superior to the genre.
This masterpiece incorporates a precision time train with dead beat, pin wheel escapement, temperature compensated gridiron pendulum and knife edge suspension. The strike train resides below and marks the hours and half hours on a bell. The white porcelain chapter ring with Roman numerals is framed by a cast, chased and gilded outer bezel. The hands are in the style of Breguet. A subsidiary dial below XII indicates half seconds and bears the signature “Verneuil of Paris.” Below the main dial is another porcelain dial showing day and date. The clock mounts on a marble base with brass feet and is covered by an arched brass frame glass dome. Circa 1810 - Dimensions: 14”(36cm) high, 7-3/4”(19cm) wide, 4-1/2”(12cm) deep; Case size: 18”(45cm) high, 10”(25cm) wide. Offered at $85,000. |
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