Nr. 308 CUM
9-inch Comtoise sunburst clock from the Louis XVI period, circa 1778/1779. 8-day movement with verge escapement. Half-hour and full-hour strike on a bell performed by the strike mechanism (no half-hour strike en passant, as is generally customary) with repetition of the hour strike. Slightly bowl-shaped enamel dial with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals, sawed iron hands. Cast decorative element featuring a small sunburst (8 ray clusters) above two five-pointed stars and the medallion with three Bourbon lilies. The two five-pointed stars symbolize the French-American alliance of 1778, as on February 6, 1778, France and the United States of America signed the Treaty of Alliance, a military alliance, and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, a friendship and trade agreement. On March 17, 1778, France officially recognized the USA.
Diameter of the dial: 248
Frame: 249 x 245 x 146 HxWxD
Movement: 400 x 248 x 155 HxWxD
Pendulum length: 1490
(all dimensions in mm)
