French Clock?

[Old Man]

Please would anybody be able to give me some idea (any ideas!) about this clock? We live in the UK and it belonged to my Wife's Grandmother in Somerset and was passed to my Mother in Law some years ago. We have no idea where or when it was purchased only that is was supposed to be French. With my Mother in Laws house being put up for sale the contents are being disposed off. We are not interested in a valuation as a couple of Dealers commented the clock was worth nothing but the glass dome may be worth a little. The dome probably does not belong to the clock and is much too large.
Really we are just interested to learn what the clocks history may be before we dispose of it. The clock is not at my home so I cannot get any more details at the moment I have already spent considerable time on the internet looking at French clocks without success plus asking a French work colleague if she could read the faded lettering.
Reading the posts suggests that the photo's may not appear-if not I will try at a later date.
Many Thanks for any help or suggestions

Martin

[mart]

Did your co-worker tell you the translation ?? I sure think the dome belongs with the base but not sure the clock goes with it !! Perhaps it was placed in the dome for safety !!  Appears to be French ormolu and is quite a beautiful piece !!
I would suggest you not listen to dealers about such !! Most  will undervalue an item considerably if they are going to have the opportunity to buy it !!  Not all will, but you really need to have independent appraisers look at items before selling them if they are old !!  Many things do not have to be antique to be worth money !! Some vintage items especially clocks are quite pricey !!  Even in this market !!
I guess you haven`t taken the dome off and looked for a makers mark for the case or the clock movement ??

[Old Man]

My co-worker couldn't really read the text, she thought the last word could have been "Palais" As you may have guessed I was not really taking detailed pictures at the time. It may be better to wait until mid January when we will be going back to the house and have a more detailed look. Lifting the dome is a bit of a holding the breath moment as I keep expecting it to crack!!
I really apprectiate the help. I'll do some searches on "French Ormolu"
Thanks

[mart]

I hope someone will be keeping an eye on your items since they are not in your possession !!  If you take the dome off (carefully) and look at the back of the clock, there should be a cover you can remove to see the movement !! Thats usually where the name will be !!  As for the case,, look at the bottom and if no name there get a magnifying glass and look everywhere else !! Sometimes the case will not be marked but it is a good thing to check !!  If you dop more internet searches check for "French ormolu and enameled clocks" or "French ormolu clock with enamel"  Its odd that if you change the arrangement of the words sometimes you will get a few different ones !!  Come back and let us know what you find on the clock !!

[KC]

I would take a magnifying glass and get a better look at the lettering on front as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if this belonged in the dome and it does look as if it is French Ormolu.

Looking forward to seeing better pics of this one.  AND Mart gave you great advice on looking inside for further information.

Handle with Care!!!

[Old Man]

Just to say thank you for the advice. Doing some searches for "French ormolu clock with enamel" one description mentioned a company Leroy et Fils which I didn't recognise but the address "13-15 Palais Royal" triggered one of my remaining brain cells and sure enough the text on the face does have "13-19 Pala**" with the rest worn off. However, knowing what to look for the beginning does start with "Leroy"
Brilliant!! Guess I'll be on the internet for the rest of today!
I can't look at the clock inside until Jan but now have a starting point and a name for some further searches.

Thanks Again and if I learn more I will post a reply

[mart]

So glad you have enough info to get started !! Will be looking forward to additional update !! Just don`t get in a hurry to sell your items til you know what they are worth !!

[KC]

Ditto