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A particularly attractive and unusual late-19th-century French mechanical mantel clock, retailed and examined by the famous London clockmakers Dent.
The enamel dial is clearly signed:
EXAMINED BY DENT
33 COCKSPUR ST
LONDON
The original French brass movement is correspondingly stamped:
CH VCNE
50928
PARIS
The CH VCNE mark is associated with quality Parisian clock movements of the period and is commonly catalogued in the antique clock trade as Vincent / Charles Vincenti.
The clock dates to approximately circa 1880–1900, most probably around 1890.
It is housed in a superbly shaped deep red case with extensive gilt-metal mounts in the Louis XV / Rococo Revival taste. Elaborate acanthus leaves, flowers, scrolling Rococo decoration and an impressive pierced foliate crest surround the substantial enamel dial.
The dial has black Roman numerals together with an outer Arabic five-minute scale and traditional hands.
The rear door opens to reveal the substantial circular French movement, pendulum and large coiled gong. The clock is an 8-day type and strikes on the gong.
The interior also retains an old dealer label for It's About Time, 863 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, a longstanding specialist antique clock dealer and restorer.
The case displays beautifully but retains the expected signs of considerable age, including age-related marks, wear to the gilt mounts and some visible cracking/crazing to the red case material. These have been photographed clearly and form part of the character and history of the clock.
Maker / movement: CH VCNE, Paris
Movement number: 50928
Retailer: Dent, 33 Cockspur Street, London
Dial: “Examined by Dent”
Origin: France / retailed in London
Date: circa 1880–1900
Movement: Mechanical 8-day, time and strike
Strike: Coiled gong
Pendulum: Present
Style: Louis XV / Rococo Revival
Dealer provenance: It's About Time, Westcliff-on-Sea
The clock is currently running, keeping time and striking correctly
A very attractive Victorian-period French clock with the significant added interest of both its CH VCNE Paris movement and Dent of London retail mark.
