Rare fully engraved early musical carriage clock with day, date and alarm (c. 1855 France)

Major clock collection 30-40 years.

Derek Roberts. Carriage clocks Fig 4-7abc P73.
Joseph Fanelli. A century of fine carriage clocks,pages 126,127.

D324. An early and rare musical carriage clock by Japy Freres which has day, date and alarm. The lever escapement has a finely engraved and gilded platform. It is contained in a relatively large and most impressive engraved and gilded case in the early style.

This fine clock has been made to the highest standards. In an oval to the bottom of the back-plate it is signed Japy Freres & Cie, Exposition 1855. Grand Med D’Honneur (Gold). A rare award. Below it is the serial number 212. A very similar but somewhat earlier clock, No 50, which is without music, is illustrated in Carriage Clocks by Derek Roberts Fig 4-7 abc; page 73. This is signed under one of the feet by the case-maker Lange and dated 1848. Another, without calendar-work but with a singing bird on top is on page 234.

The whole case is engraved and the solid back door has a sliding cover for the hand-set and winding squares. The main dial, with very delicate seconds, minute and hour hands also shows the day, date and the alarm set. These are surrounded by an attractively engraved and gilded mask. Set in the base is a two tune musical box which is started by lifting the clock a little and then putting it down.

Height with/without handle 21.5/ 18.5 cms (8.25" /7.25").

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