Louis XVI Period Alcove Alarm Clock.

Small alcove cartel "oeil de boeuf" with complications with a ringing mechanism on demand and alarm clock, in chiseled and matt and burnished gilded bronze from the Louis XVI period. Its circular case in chiseled and mercury-gilded bronze is decorated with a very elaborate decoration broken down into two distinct parts. The upper part, with attributes symbolizing love such as arrows, quiver and torch without forgetting a pair of doves; all topped with a large tied ribbon symbolizing the couple's union. The lower part is made up of two branches united at their base, an olive tree for one, a symbol of love and peace, and an oak tree for the other, a symbol of strength and longevity. A scraper hatched frieze combines the two parts into one. The bezel is covered with stripes of pearls; its opening is facilitated by a pull button on the right of it. The very soft white enamel dial, where the black hours are finely painted in elongated Roman numerals and the minutes in Arabic numerals. This has three hands, two finely openworked fleur-de-lis in gilded copper for the hours and minutes and a steel serpentine for setting the alarm function. Original movement with silk thread suspension; complication with striking mechanisms with two gongs and four hammers allowing the hours and ¼ to be struck by repeating the quarters for the alarm clock and striking the hours on demand. Intended to be placed in the bedroom alcove, just above the bed, within easy reach; only sounded on demand. This mechanism allowed the insomniac sleeper to know the time of night by pulling one of the cords; the other being devoted to waking up. The name used to describe this so-called bull's-eye alcove cartel is typical of the Louis XVI period, where it was very fashionable; it is in fact reminiscent of the shape of an ox's eye. An identical cartel appears on page 148, of Tardy's book “The French pendulum, part 2: From Louis XVI to the present day”. Dimensions: height 22cm Perfect working condition. A certificate of inspection from our watchmaker will be given to you with the expertise.
Terms and conditions of delivery:
The price indicated on the advert includes delivery within mainland France.
For Germany, Belgium, Italy or Spain, please contact us for a quote.
For the United States, non-EU Europe or the rest of the world, please contact us for a quote, but any import taxes applicable in each country will be charged to you.
Packaging and transport are handled by us or by professional carriers specialized in works of art.
A certificate of appraisal will be provided on delivery.