A. Ecalle Table Clock

A Monumental French Westminster-Chiming Table Clock
A. Ecalle, Paris | Circa 1885
Black slate, gilt bronze, and engraved gilt brass

An impressive late nineteenth-century French table clock, combining a richly ornamented architectural case with a substantial eight-day, triple-fusee movement sounding Westminster chimes on the quarter hours and striking the hours on five gongs.

The Belgian black slate case rises from a molded rectangular base supported on gilt gadrooned feet. Elaborate gilt-bronze caryatids flank the dial, supporting an arched cornice crowned by scrolling foliage and an acanthus-decorated finial. A prominent lion mask centers the arch, while fruit-and-foliate swags enrich the base. The contrast between the dark stone and gilded mounts gives the clock a commanding presence.

The engraved gilt-brass dial is decorated with scrolling foliage surrounding a Roman numeral chapter ring and finely shaped blued-steel hands. A subsidiary Sonnerie / Silence selector occupies the arch. Below the chapter ring, the dial bears the signature:

A. Ecalle
Horloger de la Marine
Paris, 93–94 Palais-Royal

The substantial brass movement incorporates three chain-and-fusee trains for timekeeping, quarter chiming, and hour striking. Large plates, turned pillars, and a pinned chime barrel distinguish its construction from the more familiar round movements of French mantel clocks.

With its sculptural mounts, finely engraved dial, and elaborate chiming mechanism, this clock offers both decorative presence and considerable horological interest.

Dimensions
29½ inches high × 16 inches wide × 11 inches deep.