Miniature French Skeleton Clock: Pierret A Paris. Circa 1870

Miniature French Skeleton Clock with Silk Suspension. Fully signed Pierret A Paris*. Circa 1870.

Numbered 1381 to rear bottom of pillar, and stamped Pierret A Paris on backplate, and signed on front enamel dial. Also signed R and A to very top either side of wheel mechanism**. Usual 8-day duration timepiece mechanism, and fully working.

A nicely small proportioned French Skeleton Clock (without alarm mechanism). A silk suspension pendulum and supplied with Victorian dome and base. Superb quality.

Condition: Brass work in excellent condition and richly patinated. Very minor hairlines to enamel face at VIII position. Recently serviced with strong winding mechanism and keeping good time.

Dimensions: (approx)

External dome / base:

Height = 21 cm

Width = 22 cm

Depth = 15 cm

*Victor-Athanase Pierret (1806–1893) was a prominent 19th-century French clockmaker based in Paris, recognized for his high-quality skeleton clocks, mantel clocks, and innovative movements. He established his workshop at 21 Rue des Bons-Enfants in Paris under the name "Pierret a Paris" at the age of 24, and became a celebrated figure in horology, exhibiting his work at major international events like the 1851 Great Exhibition in London.

Skeleton Clocks: Pierret is particularly famous for his miniature brass skeleton clocks, often signed "Pierret à Paris" on the dial or backplate. Many of these featured an alarm mechanism and were displayed under glass domes. Typically stamped with his trade mark, and often the initials "V.A.P." (Victor Athanase Pierret) on the movement's backplate.

**"R" and "A" stamped on the pillar or regulator of a skeleton clock stands for the French words Retard (slow) and Avance (fast). It is a regulation mark used to indicate the direction to turn the regulating nut to adjust the clock's speed. Turning the nut towards the A (Avance) speeds the clock up, while turning it towards the R (Retard) slows it down.