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ID #SA868344
FOR SALE
£13,000
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An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
For sale by Chalfont Clocks
for sale €15,210     $16,510
£13,000

Chalfont Clocks

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2021
Browse dealers 61 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in antique clocks and their restoration.
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Id #SA868344
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An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock

19th century
For Sale by Chalfont Clocks
Description

This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock is very rare with other examples made in wood or marble.

The clock is housed in a cast and chased ormolu case that forms the ‘bob’ of a 9-rod gridiron bi-metallic pendulum, suspended on a reverse knife-edge. In the centre of the pendulum is a fine blued steel hand that indicates the degree of compensation. The Pendule de Paris movement with finely made pinwheel escapement and count wheel striking. The dial has decorative engine turning, painted Roman numerals and signed 'Béchot à Paris' and two exceptionally crisp blued steel Breguet-style hands. The eight-day movement strikes on a bell.

This carries our two year guarantee.

Physical Dimensions
Height
54cm (21.26")
Width
29cm (11.42")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Declaration

Chalfont Clocks has dated this Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA868344
Dealers Notes

All of our clocks come with a 2 year guarantee, all of our clocks are overhauled and sympathetically restored, all of our clocks are authentic and supplied in good original condition.

Description
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock is very rare with other examples made in wood or marble.
“
The clock is housed in a cast and chased ormolu case that forms the ‘bob’ of a 9-rod gridiron bi-metallic pendulum, suspended on a reverse knife-edge.
Chalfont Clocks

In the centre of the pendulum is a fine blued steel hand that indicates the degree of compensation. The Pendule de Paris movement with finely made pinwheel escapement and count wheel striking. The dial has decorative engine turning, painted Roman numerals and signed 'Béchot à Paris' and two exceptionally crisp blued steel Breguet-style hands. The eight-day movement strikes on a bell.

This carries our two year guarantee.

Height
54cm (21.26")
Width
29cm (11.42")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Date of Manufacture

Chalfont Clocks has dated this Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA868344
Chalfont Clocks
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2021

Specialists in antique clocks and their restoration.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Chalfont Clocks Profile Page

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An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum.
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Archive I An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum.

An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock

Archive II An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View II
Archive III An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum.
Archive V An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View V
Archive VI An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View VI
Archive VII An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View VII
Archive VIII An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View VIII
Archive IX An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum. View IX
Enlarged Archival View

Chalfont Clocks
Telephone 01494 763 793
Location
Chalfont Station Road
Little Chalfont
Buckinghamshire
HP7 9PN
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/chalfontclocks
Verified Since Nov 2021
Items For Sale 61
Items Sold 81
Chalfont Clocks
Verified Since Nov 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Chalfont Station Road, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, HP7 9PN, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/chalfontclocks
Verified
Nov 2021
For Sale
61
Sold
81
An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum.
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Ref: SA868344
An antique French Empire style gilt bronze portico mystery clock featuring detailed columns supporting a decorated top frieze and suspending a circular dial with a gridiron pendulum.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectMantel Clocks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Empire
  • MaterialOrmolu, Gilt Bronze, Brass
  • ColourGold
  • MotifsFluted columns, Gridiron pendulum, Engine-turned dial, Egg-and-dart moulding
  • SizeH 54 cm (21 in) x W 29 cm (11 in) x D 12 cm (5 in)

This nineteenth-century French Empire style ormolu portico mystery clock stands in a gilt bronze case with a burnished and chased finish. Architectural elements include a top frieze, an egg-and-dart moulding along the base, fluted columns with decorative turning, and flat bracket feet supporting the rectangular plinth. The suspended circular dial has an engine-turned pattern, painted Roman numerals, the signature 'Béchot à Paris', and two blued steel Breguet-style hands, positioned alongside a gridiron pendulum with a central indicator hand. Measuring 54 cm high, 29 cm wide, and 12 cm deep, this mantel clock operates on an eight-day Pendule de Paris movement with a pinwheel escapement and strikes on a bell. The formal proportions and golden metallic finish suit placement upon a traditional mantelpiece, shelf, or side table within a formal living room, study, or hallway interior.

FAQs

A portico clock features a case styled after Classical architectural gateways, using twin or quadruple columns to support an upper entablature. Mystery clocks integrate hidden drive mechanisms within the swinging pendulum or dial structure so the movement operates without visible gearing to the base.

These timepieces were crafted primarily from heavy cast bronze finished with fire-gilded mercury gold, known as ormolu, alongside brass plates, polished steel rods in the gridiron pendulum, and engine-turned metal dials.

Authentic period examples demonstrate detailed hand-chasing on the bronze, heavy cast weight, historical maker signatures on the dial or movement, and genuine fire-gilding techniques rather than later lacquered brass or electroplated finishes.

Position the clock centrally on a grand fireplace mantelpiece, console table, or sideboard, allowing its tall architectural profile to serve as a focal point flanked by clean-lined, modern decorative accessories.

Dust surfaces gently using a soft, dry bristle brush to clean detailed relief carving without applying moisture or liquid polish, and ensure the mechanical movement is regularly oiled and adjusted by a specialist horologist.
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