French Novelty Clock by E.
Farcot,
"Maiden on a Swing," in an Alabaster Case (ca. 1880)
Eugene
Farcot was a creative 19th century French clockmaker known for conical
and swinging figure clocks. His patent, trademark, and
production dates are ca. 1862-1890. Sequential serial numbers
were used on his commercially produced clock movements from zero to
the 65,000 range.
This example is a swinging figure clock, serial number 52,052.
It displays a variation of Farcot's eagle and arrows trademark along
with patent information on the back plate.
The spring-driven movement has distinctive dual escape wheels that
impulse the pendulum, giving it an anterior to posterior animation
rather than the traditional lateral motion. The movement runs
for eight days on a winding, striking the hour and half-hour on a
nickel alloy bell.
The clock comes with a pair of candelabras with matching blue accents.