A French Second Empire ‘Pendule a l’elephant’ mantel clock in the late 18th century style, with a gilt bronze drum decorated with straps and gilt bosses and to the front a beaded door to the white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and outer minute track with five minute markers, ornate gilt metal hand and with a Brocot adjustment to the top, with at the rear a pierced door with red felt lining to the eight day bell striking movement with a pendulum, stamped to the backplate with the mark of VINCENTI & Cie, and MEDAILLE D’ARGENT 1855, the whole mounted with a gilt strap onto an elephant in patinated bronze, his head turned to one side and with trunk raised. French, circa 1860.
Condition: Overall very good, the case is in excellent condition with little evidence of polishing, and with bright gilding. There is an old repair to the enamel dial around 2 o’clock as well as a small loss of enamel around the Brocot adjustment arbour. The red felt lining to the back door is a replacement. The movement has been fully serviced and overhauled and is in full working condition, and the bell has a soft, fairly quiet tone.
Dimensions:
Height = 24 cm (9.5”)
Width = 22 cm (8.5”)
Depth = 12 cm (4.75”)