Lot Essay
This unusual little clock typifies the ingenuity of French carriage clock producers. The basic structure is that of a corniche mignonnette; however, the application of suitably shaped brass mouldings to the top, base and front results in a tailor-made clock of quite different design.
According to the Révue Chronométrique, Dumas specialized in mignonnettes and made them very well (see Charles Allix and Peter Bonnert Carriage Clocks Antique Collectors' Club 1974, p.438. It would also seem that the company had a penchant for novelty pieces; as well as the two 'hurricane' timepieces, Dumas was also responsible for the rare porcelain-mounted lantern-shaped mignonnette (lot 1) and an unusual bambu case (lot 166).
According to the Révue Chronométrique, Dumas specialized in mignonnettes and made them very well (see Charles Allix and Peter Bonnert Carriage Clocks Antique Collectors' Club 1974, p.438. It would also seem that the company had a penchant for novelty pieces; as well as the two 'hurricane' timepieces, Dumas was also responsible for the rare porcelain-mounted lantern-shaped mignonnette (lot 1) and an unusual bambu case (lot 166).