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Rare French Bronze Peacock Clock, Very Rare Escapement!
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Rare French Bronze Peacock Clock, Very Rare Escapement!
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Description Manyyears ago I discovered that it was occasionally possible to buy wonderful objects that came from the great mansions in Newport, RI. We have been fortunate to share our home with many remarkable items, and are now parting with some of them. Offered is a very rare and spectacular French bronze clock in the form of a peacock with the clock mounted on its back.
Clocks mounted on animal bronzes have been a desirable category of French clocks since the middle of the 18th Century. This one is japanesque in style, and would tfore relate to the aesthetic period in interior design, which ended about 1890. The height is 12 inches, and the weight is approximately 10 lbs. This clock is a superb example of French mastery of working in bronze. As you can see, the composition of the peacock, the clock holder, and the flowering branches is very complex, and very artistic. And t is much expert hand work in the intricate surface texture and the parcel gilt finish. Also, note that the length of the peacock's tail is perfectly designed to touch the surface it is sitting on (i.e., a "5th foot" to make the clock less susceptible to toppling). The dial is another artistic achievement, colorful enough to be the focal point yet muted in tone so as not to distract. The dial does have a hairline crack, just noticeable at the "4" and the "8". The clock movement is most unusual. The plates are oval in shape, and the large escapement platform has a very rare design, featuring twin escape wheels with the lever verge acting between them, and a large plain steel balance wheel. Even Allix & Bonnert's discussion of unusual escapements in their "Carriage Clocks" book does not include this design. This movement works well and keeps good time. This clock has the combination of artistic merit, quality, and rarity ( of style and mechanism ) that one seldom sees. In 35 years of collecting, I have come across one other example, which was offered in a prominent Florida auction gallery last year (Kodner, 9/19/07, Lot #141). That example, with an undescribed movement , brought $4800 (including commission). I am offering this wonderful clock with the expectation that it will attract appropriate interest from discerning collectors. Shipping will be by USPS Registered Priority Mail in an over-sized box, and insurance is included in the charge. I take great care in packing. Non-U.S. shipping will be by Express Mail service unless the buyer chooses to pay for another method of insured shipping. In addition to PayPal, I still accept bank checks and money orders. 
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