What is a carriage clock?

A carriage clock is a small, portable spring-driven timepiece developed for travel in the nineteenth century. These clocks typically feature glass panels allowing the movement to be viewed from the sides. Most examples are housed in brass or gilt bronze cases with a folding handle on top, designed to fit inside a protective leather travel case.

How do champleve and cloisonne differ?

Champleve enamel involves carving or sinking troughs directly into the metal surface to hold the coloured enamel paste. The raised metal portions form the outline of the design. Cloisonne enamel builds the design upwards by soldering thin metal wires onto a solid metal base to create compartments for the enamel. Both techniques are common on nineteenth-century clock cases and dials.

How do repeater clocks function?

A repeater clock is a mechanical timepiece that can strike the hours and quarters on demand when a lever or button is pressed. This complication was particularly useful for telling the time in the dark. Many nineteenth-century carriage clocks include five-minute repeating or grand sonnerie functions, sounding the time automatically or upon request.