Leigh Extence 
Fine Antique Clocks

A most unusual miniature mantel clock by Drocourt of Paris.

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During my research into the Drocourt family and their clocks I came across an image of Alfred Drocourt's stand at the 1900 Paris Exposition where a number of miniature mantel clocks in waisted painted cases with ormolu mounts are shown. At this point I had studied over a thousand Drocourt clocks but not come across one of these pieces. Some months later I was able to purchase the wonderful example shown here.

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The eight-day duration timepiece movement has a silvered platform lever escapement, with the movement backplate stamped with the serial number 29238, the date of manufacture of which corresponds with the dating of the exposition, along with the wording Paris and the oval Drocourt stamped trademark.

The round white enamel dial has black Roman hour numerals, Arabic five-minute numerals, gilt 'stars' between the numerals and decorative fleur-de-lys gilt-brass hands.

The shaped Vernis Martin painted case has a gold ground decorated with classical figures within a graden setting to the front, couples to the sides and a young man playing a stringed instrument to the rear and has applied ormolu mounts to the case edges.

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The original cloth covered travelling case is woven with floral scenes and has the original numbered winding key set within the base. This style of case covering has been noted on other clocks coming from the clock making town of Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont, home to the workshops of Alfred Drocourt.

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Height: 4½ inches (11.5cms)

Leigh Extence notes: For further details of Drocourt including details of the miniature movements supplied by Drocourt, see my 2014 Exhibition catalogue: Pierre & Alfred Drocourt: An Exhibition of Carriage Clocks, available via the Catalogues button above.