Description

A rare animated French mantel clock shaped as a steam engine. The separate automaton moving the large wheel and piston.

The last quarter of the 19th century saw the emergence in France of a small production of clocks that we now refer to as industrial clocks. These are clocks whose design has to do with the industrial revolution, shipping and innovation of the period. Next to the dial they often feature a barometer and thermometer. Another common feature is the marble plinth on flat brass feet. Besides the beautiful design, many of the models are equipped with an automaton. The larger modles regularly have an additional mechanism with a large spring barrel that then drives an automaton. Such is the case with this beautiful ‘boiler’. A sperate mechanism in the base drives the large flywheel with regulator and piston. It makes for an attractive spectacle that was meant to amaze and entertain. The Guilmet company was the leader in this genre, and it can be assumed that this large model was also made by this manufacturer.

The 7-cm silvered dial has Roman numerals and is signed for the reseller El ANTEOJO 28 Obispo Habana. The trefoil hands are made of blued steel. The centre of the dial is gilt. The barometer and thermometer also have silvered plates.

The movement is driven by a spring barrel and is of eight-day duration. It is regulated by a platform lever escapement with compensated balance. The thermometer indicates temperature in degrees Celsius. The barometer is an aneroid barometer.

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The case is made of gilt and patinated brass and modelled like a steam engine. The movement and barometer are mounted in the boilers of a large steam engine with the furnaces underneath. Between the boilers is the thermometer with the piston in front. Centrally placed on a frame supported by columns is the regulator for the large flywheel. The assembly of flywheel, regulator and piston is driven by a separate mechanism mounted in the base, which has a duration of over two hours. The machine is mounted on a griotte rouge marble base placed on flat gilt feet.

A French industrial mantel clock 'boiler' Guilmet, circa 1880

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