Lot Essay
The pendule portative, as the present example with its stand demonstrates, was essentially a mantel clock which could be moved from one room of the house to another; as such it is distinct from the pendule de voyage or carriage clock, the primary purpose of which was to be taken away from the house. The Garnier escapement is built into the clock rather than being placed upon a separate platform. See Charles Allix for an illustration of this and for examples of other pendules portatives. Allix also provides evidence that Garnier allowed his clocks to be sold under other names, with the acknowledgement PG Breveté (op. cit. pp.57-59).