A fine and rare French Empire glass plate striking great wheel skeleton clock of one month duration with remontoire Unsigned, circa 1820 With single spring barrel and 7.75 inch diameter greatwheel with five 'Y' shaped crossings screwed to the glass plate providing power for the intermediary remontoire spring for the countwheel hour striking mechanism incorporating blued steel three-armed fly and vertically pivoted bell hammer positioned in front of the glass plate beneath the dial and sounding on a bell mounted beneath, the going train with second wheel mounted on the same arbor as the remontoire spring and countwheel driving centre wheel and fine pinwheel deadbeat escapement with off-set pallets for the steel-rod pendulum with knife-edge suspension, both trains above the greatwheel pivoted via brass or steel collets fitted directly into the glass plate opposing brass inverted 'T' shaped backplate secured via three turned pillars behind the chapter ring, the arched glass plate reverse painted in gilt with symmetrical tied laurel spray above applied Arabic numeral enamel chapter ring with Arabic fifteen minutes to outer track above elaborate mid-blue and gilt rosette painted circular panel fronting the spring barrel within deep gilt band border, mounted via shaped brass plates and disc-shaped supports onto a 'D' ended black marble plinth applied with scroll cast gilt brass mount to the recessed rectangular front panel and on turned brass feet, 50.5cm (19.75) ins high; now with a rectangular five-glass cover with stepped black velvet covered base, 62.5cm (24.5ins) high overall. Provenance: The property of a private collector, formerly in the Ionides collection, purchased by Malcolm Gardner at Sotheby's, London, November 1st 1963 (lot 10). Illustrated and discussed in Royer-Collard, F.B. SKELETON CLOCKS pages 81-3 where it is noted that the clock has a duration of about six weeks. The above lot belongs to a series of glass plate great wheel skeleton clocks presumably made in the same workshop in Paris during the first two decades of the 19th century (as discussed in Roberts, Derek Continental and American Skeleton Clocks page 81). The reason why these fine, impressive clocks appear to be unsigned is a mystery, however Roberts notes that the name ¾lliard a Paris' is inscribed on one example. Most glass plate great wheel skeleton clocks are timepieces only with some being of longer duration and others featuring calendars (see Bonhams FINE CLOCKS 11th December 2013, lot 13). Striking clocks are relatively rare and ingeniously utilise a remontoire to provide motive power to the strike train thus remove the need for a second mainspring. IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS Movements, dials and cases: movements and dials are described as relating to the cases in which they are housed in one of the following three ways: the case.... we are of the opinion that the movement and dial started life in the current case. in a case we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are in a case of correct period and type (and may well be original to the movement and dial), however there is evidence to suggest that they may not have started out life together. now in a case we are of the opinion that the movement and dial are no longer in the original case or one of correct period and/or type. Pendulums, weights, winding and case keys: unless specifically indicated otherwise in the catalogue description it can be assumed that all clocks with cases are sold with the requisite pendulum and correct number of weights (where appropriate), however we cannot guarantee that they are original to the clock. We do not indicate in the catalogue description whether winding or case keys are present with any specific clock. As many clocks are consigned without keys please check with the department to establish whether they are present or not prior to bidding. Condition: due to the mechanical nature of clocks and the fact that most are of great age we cannot offer any guarantee as to whether they are in working order or free from major faults or restoration. Although we endeavour to catalogue items in a fair and informed manner, omission of any comments or observations regarding the condition or originality of a clock in the description does not necessarily indicate that it is free from significant faults, restoration or is in working condition. We would strongly advise any prospective purchaser to view the item in person or request a condition report and/or further images prior to bidding. Measurements: dial measurements are given in inches, other dimensions such as height are given in centimetres and inches. The measurement given for the height of a longcase clock excludes any removable finials in order to provide an approximate minimum ceiling height in which the clock can be accommodated.