09/02/2026
Mantel clock - Harlequin mechanical
Filon à Paris
A very special and rare mantel clock with a mechanically moving Harlequin, the whole depicts a street performance of a Harlequin, who is being watched by a boy with a greyhound, and a (presumably) passing butcher who is at that moment robbed by a street urchin who brazenly has his hand in his bag...
The entire scene is beautifully ormolu, the Harlequin strikes the number of hours on the large bell with a hammer every full and half hour, before striking the bell - on the hour - he will move his hat and head up and down for a few minutes.
This latter is accomplished by a separate mechanism which can be wound up on the right side of the case, this part has a running time of approx. 1 day,
The movement runs for 8 days and controls the running and striking mechanism, or the right arm with the Harlequin's hammer, which strikes the bell.
The beautiful mahogany case, polished to a high gloss, is finished with partially ormolu pearl surrounds and partially smooth, straight frames.
The enameled dial is signed "Filon à Paris"; this clockmaker is listed in the Dictionnaire des Horlogers Francais (see photo).
Empire period, circa 1800.
Dimensions: 38 cm high, 24 cm wide, and 14 cm deep.
