A very rare early 19th century French ormolu mantel clock with Chappe semaphore automata
Chappe
The case surmounted by a semaphore tower with working signalling arms pivotted about their centre and with shaped terminals, the main clock case of rectangular form and decorated to the front with a stonework pattern over-run by ivy and other foliage, on a velvet covered ebonised base, the 3 inch white enamel dial with blue Roman numerals and moon hands set over a recessed painted panel depicting a pair of windmills in a country setting with figures and animals, the circular clock movement with off-set silk suspension off-set in order to accommodate the lead pulleys that operate the automata above, the automata movement with rectangular plates and indirect winding from the base with an intricate trio of cams actuating the semaphore tower above 54cms (21ins) high to the top of the tower.
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