Beschreibung:

A RARE FRENCH GOTHIC REVIVAL SILVERED 'ANGELUS' CARRIAGE CLOCK WITH PUSH-BUTTON REPEAT LUCIEN FALIZE PARIS, CIRCA 1880 The two-train eight-day gong striking movement with silvered platform lever escapement and visible geared motionwork to allow winding of both trains via a single key to the backplate stamped with serial number 7901 to left hand margin, the dial modelled integral with the case centred with a stylised dragon decorated strapwork rosette within octagonal Gothic Roman numeral chapter ring, with fine scroll-pierced and engraved blued steel hands and trefoil decorated triangular spandrel panels to quadrants, the case formed as a casket incorporating stylised strap bindings to the frame angles, the top with fine entwined dragon hinged loop handle over lattice scroll pierced octagonal fret set within Gothic astragal decorated quadrants, the front with relief scene of the Annunciation within inscribed Gothic text Angelus Domini, nuntiavit Maria to upper and lower margins beneath the dial, the sides each modelled with six figural relief medallions representing months of the year, the left January to June and the right July to December named in Latin to the margins, the rear with lower panel mirroring that of the front modelled with the Admonition beneath hatch door incorporating decorative strap hinges and ornamental bolt clasp, the margins and door panel further inscribed in Latin Vigilate quia netcitis diem neque horam, the underside decorated with octagonal motif stamped with A.X.F. diamond trademark and depose within angles decorated with conforming strapwork incorporating small button feet to angles. 15cm (6ins) high with handle down, 8cm (3.125ins) square. Lucien Falize was born in 1839. His father, Alexis, moved to Paris 1833 where he had established himself a designer and manufacturer of jewellery and works of art in Palais Royale by 1838. Alexis Falize was a particularly talented designer in particular with regards to architectural ornamentation and became a leading figure in the revival of cloisonne enamel. Lucien trained under his father who he succeeded in 1876 and continued producing high quality objects and works of art following the evolving fashions of the day such as Japanism and the Gothic revival. Lucien Falize died in 1897, he was, however, outlived by his father who died the following year. The first Angelus clock produced to the design of the present lot was executed in gold and silver mounted ivory for the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle, with the inspiration for its design almost certainly garnered from original Gothic works of art and artifacts in the collection of the Louvre. The clock was clearly well received as after the exhibition Falize produced a series of silvered models to the same design. The current clock can be dated between 1878 and 1880 as the 'A.X.F.' diamond lozenge monogram stamped to the underside was apparently not used by Falize after he entered into partnership with the former French crown jeweller, Germain Bapst, in 1880. Although rare a few examples of this model have been sold at auction over the last twenty years or so including at Bonhams, San Francisco 27th March 2018 (lot 47) selling for $7,500; Bonhams, London 15th December 2015 (lot 120) for £5,625; Christies, London 23rd September 2010 (lot 107) for £5,000 and Christies, London 6th December 2006 (lot 16) for £4,800. Condition Report: Movement is in good clean working condition with no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements. The dial and case are in good original condition with faults very much limited to slight edge wear to the silvering and some very minor localised bubbling to copper layer beneath. The top fret panel has a slight depression towards the front edge (from the handle pressing down when folded forward) and there are some metal polish deposits within the crevices throughout. The hands appear original and are finely worked. Clock is complete with integral winder. Condition Report Di