A FRENCH GILT-BRASS AND PORCELAIN MOUNTED MIGNIONNETTE CARRIAGE TIMEPIECE

NO. 14685. LAST QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Details
A FRENCH GILT-BRASS AND PORCELAIN MOUNTED MIGNIONNETTE CARRIAGE TIMEPIECE
no. 14685. last quarter 19th century
The foliate engraved cannelee case with painted porcelain panels to the sides depicting a hunter and a peasant woman respectively, the dial with scene of a huntsman shooting game beside a watermill below the Roman chapter ring, the silvered lever platform with bimetallic balance, stamped 14685 on the backplate
3¼in. (8cm.) high

Lot Essay

Mignonnette, literally 'little darling' was a term coined for miniature carriage clocks, which came in three standard sizes. Most carriage clocks had their pair in miniature; generally, but not always, these are timepieces, due to the obvious complexity (and additional cost) of constructing a striking movement in miniature. Mignonnettes were sometimes used by ladies as an alternative to watches.