Bronze mantel clock - France, Paris 19th century, signed CONSTANTINE LOUISE DETOUCHE (1810-1899)
Gilt bronze case surmounted by a lady in Renaissance dress. Circular dial with Roman numerals signed "C. Detouche Bte. - 160 RUE ST MARTIN," movement with wire suspension, pendulum regulator, and hour and half-hour chime on bell. Constantine Louise Detouche (1810-1899) was appointed watchmaker of the city of Paris by Emperor Napoleon III; He was an extraordinarily gifted and prolific clockmaker, and designed and produced numerous complicated clocks. His shop and workshop were set up in the Rue Saint-Martin in Paris, and he is recognized as one of the great 19th C. French clockmakers. Height x width x depth: 48 x 34 x 11.5 cm. Item condition grading: **** good. (Ref. Tardy, Dictionnaire des horlogers franรงais, Paris, 1972 ; Derek Roberts, Continental and American Skeleton Clocks, Schiffer, 1989).