Mantel Clock: A Majestic and Substantial 1858 French Drumhead Striking Mantel Clock in Black Slate with Rouge Marble

A majestic French drumhead striking mantel clock of substantial proportion, in polished black slate and variegated rouge / white marble, by Vincenti et Cie. (‘and Co,’) of Montbéliard, France. Produced, during the creative and hugely innovative mid-19th Century ‘Arts and Crafts’ period; an era of French renaissance in culture, style, art and architecture, established initially in the region, during the 14th to 16th Centuries. Vincenti and Co., were one of France’s foremost clockmaking firms, formed by Master Horologist Jean Giovanni Vincenti in 1823 and taken over by another famous horologist Jean ‘Albert’ Roux in 1829. In 1855, the company won a silver medal at the world “Expo Universelle, Paris”, for its clockmaking excellence, thus afforded them the privilege of placing a ‘Medaille d'Argent’ 1855’ stamp, on their movements thereafter, and this famous horological stamp can be seen embossed into the backplate of this clock’s movement. In addition, the clocks outstanding hand-crafted case embellishment was modelled by renowned French sculptural artist Gerard Schmoll of Paris, and again, his famous trademark stamp can also be witnessed on the movement backplate. The clocks imposing black slate architectural design is magnificent, with a fluted drumhead supported by fluted and sloping scroll shaped sides. These then sit proudly on its well-balanced two-layered plinth. The slate rendering is then exuberantly finished with rouge and white marbled breakfront layered garniture, including a fluted panel base. To help add to the clock’s opulence and grandeur, the stunning two-piece black enamelled dial has gold plated Roman numerals with a visually stunning jewelled Brocot escapement, the dial being finished with its pair of Straight Breguet hands secured with a pinned collet. The front and rear of the drumhead are then both protected by thick bevelled glaze, mounted in heavy brass bezels. The high-quality 8-day French movement (engineered by Vincenti and Co.), strikes the hours and half hours on its nickel 'ting' bell and the clock comes with its original numbered brass pendulum and an authentic period winding key. A truly outstanding and All-Original striking mantel clock of the very highest order. Payment - We Accept: - Debit / Credit Cards. - Bacs Transfer (Faster Payments). (Our bank details are on our invoices).