c.1820 Rare French Patinated and Ormolu Automated Windmill Clock.
Period French /
Industrial /
Novelty
Inv. #: P145
Circa: 1820
Size: 21.5" high
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Case
The patinated and ormolu case depicts a classic French barnyard scene with a windmill in the center. It has engraved shingles, a textured roof with a grotesque center finial, bags of grain hanging off pulleys to the side and four patinated and ormolu sails. The numerous decorative figures include a boy descending the stairs, a dog, a mule, chickens, several farmyard implements and a tree. The dog and mule are patinated and have glass eyes commonly found in the blackmoor clocks. The whole stands on a rectangular base with animal feet and a cast freeze depicting a French landscape scene complete with windmills.
Dial
The well-lettered white porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the 15 minute marks, Breguet-style hands, is signed 'a Paris' and has a decorative bezel with a snap-on beaded edge.
Movement
The round eight-day time and strike movement has an elongated back-cock, a brass tear drop pendulum, an early steel suspension, the fast/slow adjusted out the dial and countwheel striking on a bell.
The animation movement is mounted just above the clock movement, has a manual start/stop pull rod, is wound out the back and turns the windmill sails for several hours when activated.
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