Object Description
Fine French Tortoiseshell Boulle Clock
Straight sided case with green ‘tortoiseshell’ inlaid with fine brass decoration surmounted by an ormolu finial, ormolu mounts throughout and standing on raised bracket feet.
Gilded and chased dial with individual cartouche blue enamel numerals and gilded centre with fine ‘blued’ steel hands.
Eight day movement striking the hours and halves on a silvered bell marked R & C Paris and London and numbered 5374. C.1880
Richard et Cie were one of the smaller Parisian based manufactures known for innovation having a paper published regarding temperature compensation and precision timekeeping. The firm received several awards at the grand exhibitions.
The company can trace their history back to 1616 when Jehan Richard worked as a clock and watchmaker in Paris. The family continued with the tradition of clock and watchmaking at many different locations in Paris. C. 1870 they occupied premises at Rue Poissonniere.