Leigh Extence 
Fine Antique Clocks

A Gorge-cased carriage clock by the fine makers Holingue frères for Georges Moser that is historically important in the history of this style of case, generally considered the finest design used by the top makers.

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The eight-day duration movement strikes the hours and half-hours on a bell and has a push button repeat set through the top glass allowing for the last hour to be repeated at will. The backplate is stamped with the name Moser à Paris along with the serial number 3752 in an early style of font used on Moser retailed clocks. The front of the frontplate is stamped for H.L., the makers of the blanc roulant Holingue frères with the inside stamped with their serial number 5309.

The white enamel dial has black Roman numerals, a subsidiary alarm setting dial and a coronet with the initials D.L.D. to the top. The trefoil hands are typical of this maker at this time and are also seen on clocks signed for such as Paul Garnier, Moise Bolviller and Henri Jacot.

The Gorge case is of an early style with screwed button feet and deep mouldings. The top moulding is engraved Paris Expon Univlle 1855  and was obviously made to exhibit there. The engraving by Moser of clocks shown at the various exhibitions is also noted on another example made for him by Holingue Freres and engraved for the 1851 Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, London.

The dating is interesting as it pushes the back from circa 1860 the period that published authors give for the first appearance of the Gorge case, albeit this design is not of the final form. Originally known as a Cannalee case before a mix-up in the two names in the 1960s, this form of case is believed to have been designed by the great carriage clock Henri Jacot as published in my 2013 Jacot Exhibition catalogue Henri Jacot - Clocks & Family available to view via the Catalogues link above.

The original travelling box is embossed with a repeat of the coronet and owners' initials.

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Both Holingue frères and Georges Moser have been subjects of my research into the carriage clock makers of Paris and St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont. The Holingue family were previously somewhat under the radar, but I have concluded that they were indeed quite probably one of the most important makers of the earlier period of carriage clock production and made movements and/or complete clocks for such pioneers as Paul Garnier and Athanase Bourdin. They were also makers to Pierre and Alfred Drocourt, with the latter buying the Holingue workshops in St-Nicolas-d'Aliermont in 1876.

For more information on both makers see my two illustrated articles published by the NAWCC; The Carriage Clock Makers of Paris and The Carriage Clock Makers of Saint-Nicolas-d'Aliermont also available via the link above.

Height:  5¾ inches (14¾cms) handle down: 6¾ inches (17cms) handle up