Monumental French Farcot Gilt-Bronze Conical Clock with Barometer

Monumental French Farcot Gilt-Bronze Conical Pendulum Clock with Barometer and Malachite, Figure Signed P. Machault Fils, Paris, circa 1870

Paris, circa 1870 Height: 44 in. (111.8 cm)

An important and highly decorative French conical-pendulum clock by Eugène Farcot of Paris, dating to circa 1870 and surmounted by a finely modeled gilt-bronze allegorical female figure signed P. Machault fils. The figure raises one arm to support Farcot’s characteristic conical pendulum, terminating in a dark spherical bob decorated with gilt stars.

The architectural case is finished in black with vivid green malachite panels and gilt detailing. The upper gilt chapter ring surrounds a partially skeletonized movement, allowing the mechanism to remain visible, while the lower circular register incorporates a French aneroid barometer.

Standing an impressive 44 inches high, the clock combines sculpture, horology, meteorology and mechanical spectacle in a form closely associated with Farcot’s celebrated exhibition clocks of the 1860s and 1870s. The slowly revolving conical pendulum provides the distinctive visual motion for which Farcot became internationally known.

France, circa 1870.
Movement by Eugène Farcot, Paris.
Figure signed P. Machault fils.
Gilt bronze, black stone or slate, malachite, gilt metal and glass.
Height: 44 in.