A novelty mantel clock in the form of an industrial beam engine by Andre Romain Guilmet, dating from circa 1878 and numbered 196 and signed by Giulmet.The eight day movement is surmounted by a beam that forms the upper part of of a compound pendulum and thus continually rocks to and fro, giving the impression that the beam is pumping the pistons on either side of the clock dial these still retain their original butterfly brocot suspension springs. At the centre of the beam the compound pendulum X-suspension operates in the same manner as a hairspring – it generates the return force to bring the beam back in the opposite direction to its swing, to be impulsed by the brocot escapement the.The brass case is silver plated and patinated to give an industrial appearance with polished brass details mounted on a black marble base.The industrial clock series started in circa 1875 and ran until approximately 1910 this model is one of the earliest made numbered 196 and signed by Guilm...