Drocourt: A Small Finely Engraved Gorge Carriage Clock

A smaller than normal finely engraved Gorge carriage clock by Drocourt of Paris.

The eight-day duration movement strikes the hours and half-hour on a gong, with a repeat button to the top allowing the last hour to sound at will.

The silvered platform lever escapement is stamped to the underside P. The movement backplate is stamped with the serial number 10017 along with the wording Fast/Slow either side of the regulator index for adjusting the rate of timekeeping, the backplate stamped with the Drocourt trademark, the initials D.C. either side of a clock, with the inside of the plates stamped with the Drocourt trademark oval; the wording Drocourt, Paris, Fnt, (Fabricant or Maker) and the front of the frontplate stamped with the initials and serial number H.L. 19147, for the maker of the blanc roulant, Holingue frères, giving a date of manufacture of circa 1873.

The white enamel dial has black Roman hour numerals, Arabic outer five-minute numerals, diamonds and dots to the outer aspect, blued steel moon hands and a subsidiary alarm dial.

The gorge case has engraved floral decoration and a typical five-bail handle.

?The rear of the dial is interesting as it has written in red ink Cannelée No.3, showing not only the size of the clock, but calling this style cannelée as opposed to what we now describe as gorge. This mix-up occurred in the early 1970s and my research now confirms this, especially as I have now proven that Henri Jacot was the inventeur of the cannelée case, but he hardly ever used the style we now describe as this, preferring what we now call gorge. See my article Gorge or Cannelée via the Catalogues & Articles link on my website.

For further details of Drocourt and Holingue Frères see my 2014 Exhibition catalogue: Pierre & Alfred Drocourt: An Exhibition of Carriage Clocks.

Leigh Extence offers for sale antique clocks that are fully researched and validated.

Leigh is acknowledged as the world's leading expert on French carriage clocks of the 19th century and has lectured both home and abroad on the subject for over ten years.

He has had many papers published on the subject and his research is used by many of the leading auction houses in their descriptions.

Research Articles and Exhibition Catalogues are available to view on our website:

www.extence.co.uk

Unless otherwise stated, all clocks have been fully overhauled and are guaranteed as such.