Object Description
Ormolu And Green Marble Mantel Clock, Maple & Co Ltd, Paris
Ormolu and Verde marble mantel clock depicting a beautifully cast maiden studying her books seated on a decorative chair, resting on a green Verde marble stepped base with applied ormolu mount and gilded turned feet.
The body of the clock acting as her desk with cast lions claw feet and chased bezel.
Enamel dial with Roman numerals, original ‘blued’ steel Moonpoise hands and signed Maple & Co Ltd, Paris.
Hinged back door opening to the eight day French movement with anchor escapement, striking the hours and halves on a silvered bell. The backplate signed Maple & Co Ltd, Paris and stamped for Samuel Marti, numbered 1603, the original pendulum also numbered 1603. C.1880
The female figure is the personification of study and the books are symbols of intellectual and physical alertness which are important prerequisites of studying and science.
‘Watchmakers and clockmakers of the world’ by Brian Loomes lists Maple & Co as working both in London and Paris from 1880 to 1905.
‘Samuel Marti & Cie’ were well known French clockmakers working from their premises at Le Pays De Montbeliard Paris from just before 1860. They were awarded the medaille de bronze in 1867 at the Great Paris Exhibition and the Medaile D’or in 1900.