A rare late 19th/early 20th century gilt French novelty clock in the form of a Sedan Chair Maple...

A rare late 19th/early 20th century gilt French novelty clock in the form of a Sedan Chair Maple & Co, number 64422 The case realistically modelled on an 18th century sedan chair, surmounted by a large fleur de lys plume set on a crown and four scrolls, above three glazed sides, the front panel features a portrait of a young noblewoman, her head tilted as though she is gazing out of the carriage, to her left is set the white enamel Roman dial with blued steel spade hands, to her right is the glazed door through which the clock movement is set and wound. The body of the chair is cast with five rococo panels of playful putti within scrollwork and running vines, each side set with a pair of fixed carrying handles, the whole set on reeded scroll supports. The twin spring barrel movement with jewelled Swiss lever platform escapement, the back plate stamped for the retailers Maple & C o L td Made in France 64422 . Ticking, striking, and repeating on a coiled blued steel gong. 29cms (11ins) high Footnotes: A similar model was sold in the Dr Eugene and Rose Antelis Collection of Important French Carriage Clocks , Christies South Kensington, 26th November 1998, lot 2. Another variant, without the figural panel is illustrated in D. Roberts, (1993) Carriage and Other Travelling Clocks . Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, figure 6-58, page 115. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com