Lot 6*
A very rare late 19th century French carriage clock with mechanical snuffer, almost certainly for use in the auction process of 'Selling by the Candle' B.H.J. & Cie, No. 7112
29 November 2023, 14:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £3,200 inc. premium
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A very rare late 19th century French carriage clock with mechanical snuffer, almost certainly for use in the auction process of 'Selling by the Candle'
B.H.J. & Cie, No. 7112
The case surmounted by a facetted Greek-key handle over an oval bevelled escapement observation window, a repeat button to the front and sprung candle and mechanical snuffer to the back, connected to levers linked to the motion work behind the dial, above the moulded cornice and four glass panels within rounded pillars, on a double stepped base. The Arabic and Roman white enamel dial with blued steel spade hands above two smaller subsidiary Arabic dials, the left marked Boug(i)e, the right marked Reveil all set in a gilt brass mask. The triple spring barrel movement with silvered and jewelled English lever platform escapement, the backplate marked B.H.J.&Cie B above the company's shield and the number 7112. Ticking, striking, and repeating on a coiled blued steel gong. 22cms (8.5ins) high
The case surmounted by a facetted Greek-key handle over an oval bevelled escapement observation window, a repeat button to the front and sprung candle and mechanical snuffer to the back, connected to levers linked to the motion work behind the dial, above the moulded cornice and four glass panels within rounded pillars, on a double stepped base. The Arabic and Roman white enamel dial with blued steel spade hands above two smaller subsidiary Arabic dials, the left marked Boug(i)e, the right marked Reveil all set in a gilt brass mask. The triple spring barrel movement with silvered and jewelled English lever platform escapement, the backplate marked B.H.J.&Cie B above the company's shield and the number 7112. Ticking, striking, and repeating on a coiled blued steel gong. 22cms (8.5ins) high
Footnotes
This remarkable clock has two alarms. The first option is that found in many other clocks of the period - at a desired time, a hammer rings against the gong on the backplate until the small alarm spring winds down. The second option, however, is far more unusual - at a desired time, levers mounted behind the dial are engaged so as to trip the snuffer mounted on the top of the case, thereby extinguishing a burning candle.
Selling by the candle was a popular method of selling by auction, particularly in Europe, and also in England until the early 19th century - see the adverts for such events in the late 18th century at Old Lloyd's coffee house. Bidding would increase, and whoever held the highest bid as the candle died was deemed the successful buyer.
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