Pendule d’Officier With Silvered Dial

A very attractive Parisian mantel clock or Pendule d’Officier of good size and colour. This style of clock was invented in the late 18th century, designed by Breguet for Napoleon to be carried by his officers (pendule d’officier – officer’s clock) to ensure they kept good time whilst also being robust enough for frequent transport! The case is a bright ormolu, sitting on detailed bun feed with very nice floral cast brass features decorating the top, front, and sides, as well as the classic ouroboros handle, the snake consuming itself, symbolising the eternity of time. The clock has a beautifully engine turned silvered dial, with detail to the outer and inner sections and a smooth chapter ring with Arabic numerals. The hands are particularly ornate, and sit nicely against the dial, with a convex glass front and frosted glass to the rear. The 8-day movement strikes on a gong every hour and half hour. Circa 1890.