Chariot-shaped clock, early 19th century. - Lot 80

Chariot-shaped clock, early 19th century. On a rectangular base supported by four lion’s paws—featuring symbols of victory (an interlaced quiver and torch) and adorned with a putto scene in the center—stands a two-horse chariot (of the ancient front-facing type), with a dog’s head holding the drawbar. A putto holds the four reins in his left hand and a torch in his right. The chariot is topped by a winged dragon figure. The entire piece is made of gilded bronze with a matte finish and burnished vertical panels. The putto has glass paste eyes, which are intact. The horses also have glass paste eyes, which were found to be intact during the appraisal on June 16, 1926. The chariot’s wheel, with “matte” gilded spokes, houses a Paris-made movement: silk-thread suspension, striking of the hours and half-hours on a bell. Movement with pinned ratchets, striking mechanism with a return spring on a small plate, round base. Ring-shaped dial in white enamel, black Roman numerals. “Œil-de-perdrix” style hour hand in blued steel, “Breguet”-style minute hand (with a balance wheel). Dimensions: L: 50.5; W: 14; H: 41.5 cm Condition Report Case: Dull gilding, in original condition, with a previous cleaning (possibly around 1950); the patina on the flanges was partially removed during this cleaning. No visible regilding; some scuffing on the guides; rear foot needs repositioning. Movement: Standard repairs and maintenance (to the strike release, the angle bracket, and the wire suspension bridge). Ring dial replaced, though still authentic. Minute hand replaced, bent, inauthentic, missing the drop. No winding key. Needs to be cleaned and fully serviced as needed. Formerly owned by Mrs. Annick SCHWING, née de La Fouchardière, wife of Mr. Jean-Jacques SCHWING, head of the “F2” ” (Côtes-du-Nord and Morbihan) under the code name SAB, beginning in 1941. His wife, also a leader in the same network under the code name Sabine, and he were both deported. Mr. SCHWING escaped from the transport, while Mrs. SCHWING, for her part, refused to escape in order to rescue the deportees. Biographical note: Jacques Donne, *www.memoiredeguerre.free.fr* Some authors attribute this model to Jean-Simon Deverberie. While it is confirmed that a version bearing his signature “Deverberie” exists, the clock in question is not illustrated in his catalog (Doucet collection, INHA). An identical model is in the François Duesberg collection. Signed “Armingraud”; see p. 38, “F. Duesberg. Musée François Duesberg. Time Is Money,” published by François Duesberg, 2005. In Elke Niehüser’s book, *French Bronze Clocks*, similar models are listed under numbers 920 and 921 (illustration on p. 103, Schiffer, 1999). In “Die vergoldeten Bronzen,” Vol. 1, p. 354, a late model is illustrated as part of a set. Neither of the latter two authors attributes the piece to Deverberie. Expert’s Note Model requires servicing; inspected without disassembly; no guarantee of functionality. Replaced parts (the balance wheel, the dial, and the minute hand). Comes with a wooden base that is not original. The movement shows no obvious abnormalities. A reversible Plexiglas panel has been added to the front. Numerous repairs were made during the 1950s. Watchmaking expert: Marc VOISOT