FRENCH CLOCKS~~HELP PLEASE

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 2:49 pm     Post subject: FRENCH CLOCKS~~HELP PLEASE

Hi
I am new hello! I crazily bought a clock for $1000 and am now bidding on one. I am happy with the pink clock as it seems genuine 1880 french japy freres however I am unsure of the other ones age and origins, can anyone help??
Thanks so much




this is the one I need help on :

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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 5:33 pm     Post subject: Re: French clocks

The second clock could very easily date from the same time period as the Japy Freres clock. It is part of a set known as a "garniture", meaning that it includes the two comports to complete the set. Garniture pieces could just as easily be the clock plus a pair of candelabras or vases and were usually meant to be displayed together on a fireplace. In some cases the sets have been broken up and the clock is sold by itself. Without a view of the clock movement inside the back of the case it's impossible to tell anything about it. A maker's name would help too.
Be aware, however, that in recent times copies of these sets have started appearing on eBay and elsewhere. The clock movements are good ones but they are modern, not antiques!

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 1:44 am     Post subject:

thankyou for your help, do you personally think the garniture set is real or a replica? I am unable to find one similar on the net. I could not retract my bid and ended up paying around $400 which will end upbeing $550 after postage and I am wondering why no-one else bidded higher. The owner said there is a signature on the underside of the clock. He is unsure of the age of the clock. This does appear to be a little old looking though for a replica, what do u think?

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 3:43 pm     Post subject: French clock

From outward appearances the set looks to be vintage. As I mentioned previously a view of the movement would certainly help in determining that fact. Usually any markings on the outside of the pieces has to do with the decorative elements and/or the case maker and not the clock itself. The movement would have been supplied by a clock making firm and installed in the case.
If the pieces are original then the price you paid seems more than fair.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:00 pm     Post subject:

thanks so much, will post info upon receival:)

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:19 am     Post subject:

I received the clock, damaged:( Anyhow, it doesn not look like a quality clock or it has been restored. The metal looks like brass or gilt and the porcelain parts have been glued on not very neatly. At the back, I have taken pics, there are german stamps...can you please tell me if this is old or new or anything really about it, thanks:)









there is a signature on the front that looks like luiciiu?? Dont know[/img]

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:38 pm     Post subject:

I cannot vouch for the casework or the ornamental parts of the clock, but the movement is most definitely a modern one. It is a Hermle 8 day balance wheel type with bim bam strike on two bells. The movement is still listed in the Hermle catalog. A portion of the model number can be seen under the bells. Hermle stamps the year of manufacture of their movements with a code letter. Before 1987 the last two digits of the year was stamped above the model number instead of a letter.

Was there any guarantee of authenticity as to the age of the pieces given by the seller? Also, was the shipment insured? If so, then you should have a claim against the carrier for breakage. Make sure you have all the packing materials etc available for any claim.

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:03 pm     Post subject: French clock

If the set was advertised as a real antique then you could have a claim against the seller, in which case you should be able to return the item for a refund.

Recently another person was trying to find information about an "antique" clock. Close up photos showed that it was a fairly recent copy of an antique clock, made in Italy, with a modern German movement.
Very often the clock movements in these knock offs are good quality, but they are definitely not antique or even vintage.
It seems that more and more of these copies are showing up all the time. These items show up on eBay and elsewhere, with many of them having been made in the orient.