Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a fil… Read more

AN EMPIRE MAHOGANY QUARTER-STRIKING MANTEL REGULATOR WITH DEAD SECONDS AND PERPETUAL CALENDAR

BOSENSCHEN, PARIS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

AN EMPIRE MAHOGANY QUARTER-STRIKING MANTEL REGULATOR WITH DEAD SECONDS AND PERPETUAL CALENDAR
BOSENSCHEN, PARIS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The case with detachable architectural pediment, the white enamel dial signed 'Bosenschen / à Paris' with inner concentric calendar ring, the substantial twin barrel movement with with unusual dead seconds pinwheel escapement with associated escape wheel mounted on the backplate, the crutchpiece with fine adjustment, gridiron pendulum with knife-edge suspension, the strike train with rack strike on two bells via two hammers
22 in. (55.8 cm.) high; 11 ¼ in. (28.5 cm.) wide; 8 ¼ in. (21 cm.) deep

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Christie's, London, 2 July 2004, lot 100.

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Alexandra Cruden

acruden@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2566

Lot Essay

Bofenschen was working in Paris from 1780 on the Rue St Honoré. He moved to Boulevard du Temple in 1810. According to Tardy, he also worked for Abraham Louis Breguet. The perpetual calendar work of this clock is drawn from that described by Moinet in his
Nouveau Traité Général d'Horlogerie, vol. II, ch. V, pl. XLIV, figs. 8 & 9. The very unusual escapement to demonstrate seconds from a half seconds pendulum has apparently never been described.

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