Merv's clock

[greenacres]

This is Merv's clock.

[Ipcress]

Image of the backplate is too blurred. Are there any other marks aside from the numbers ?

[greenacres]

I'll see if I took a better picture. He's 99. He's my mother in laws friend.

[Ipcress]

The backplate of the movement, please ! I can see numbers etc.

The decoration below the clock face, is this porcelain, cloisonne or some form of pietra dura ?

[greenacres]

I'll ask if we can run downstairs after dessert.

[greenacres]

I forgot to add there are matching candlesticks.

[Ipcress]

At 99 ? Take your time 

[greenacres]

 

[greenacres]

Merv says it's french. It was sent to a Philadelphia jeweler.

[greenacres]

Wrong pic.

[Ipcress]

Well there's a Philadelphia retailers mark on the back plate. Ends in " ...ell & Co " i think

There's also a mark slightly obstructed by the movement which looks like a Japy Freres mark. Also says " Made In France " so it's 1896 or later. Looking at the fairly high number i'd say about 1900-1910.

[greenacres]

He was quoted a price a while ago. What do you think the value is?

[Ipcress]

Well i haven't seen the candlesticks or examined the mosaic decoration, but i had a quick Google on that Philadelphia retailer and it could be JE Caldwell & Co ( might be on the dial too ) which enhances the value.
So if it's Japy Freres or Martie et Cie, and the candlesticks are nice....could be $1000- 2000

[greenacres]

He told me at one point he had it appraised for $5, 000.. I don't know who told him that. Someone offer him $3, 000. and he said no because he knew it was worth more. I told him that things are only worth what people are willing to pay for them. I think the problem is partially  the old appraisals.  So now he is stuck because he thinks if he takes less he's loosing out. "Sometimes we can't always get what we want" But if you try sometimes you just must find you get what you need  . I told him he could do eBay and put a reserve on it and see wnat happens.

[Ipcress]

It might have been appraised for insurance, so $5,000 is believable. Someone selling that in a shop will ask more than what it fetches at auction, won't they ?