Antique French Brass Carriage Clock 5 X 3 X 3 Inches For Sale

This is a French brass carriage clock, retailed by John Barker and Co. Ltd of Paris. Carriage clocks of this type were manufactured in large numbers in France, principally in and around Paris, during the second half of the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century. John Barker and Co. Ltd was a well-known British department store based in Kensington, London, which commonly had its name applied to French-made carriage clocks sold through its retail operation. The Paris designation on the dial refers to the movement's origin rather than the retailer's address. Based on the style of the case, the serpentine or "corniche" profile of the top and base, the bevelled glass panels on all four sides, the porcelain or enamel dial with Roman numerals, and the general construction, this clock dates most plausibly to the period circa 1890 to 1910. The serial or batch number visible on the back plate appears to read in the region of 758 or similar, and the word "FRANCE" is stamped on the movement, which is consistent with French-made movements of this era. The back plate also shows an S and F regulation indicator (Slow and Fast), a platform lever escapement visible through the side glass, and a knurled winding crown on the right side. (Source: 3scouts.com)