Antique French Comtoise Clock Face with Repousse Brass Crest

French Comtoise Clock Face, c. early-to-mid 19th Century

For a hundred and fifty years or so, somewhere in the French Jura, this face was the one thing a household looked up at. It counted mornings, suppers, and the long dark stretches in between. Now it has come to rest her ein Apex, still beautiful.

The convex dial is white enamel, its Roman numerals painted bold and black, with a finer inner ring counting the days of the month from 1 to 31. Above it sits a repoussé gilt-brass crest: a basket spilling flowers, framed by curling acanthus leaves, beneath a sunburst rosette with a small face at its center, watching whoever was watching the time. Stamped rosette mounts anchor the corners. Turn it over and the original patinated iron back plate and dial mount are still there, dark with age.

Condition, told plainly. The enamel carries a star crack radiating from the center arbor, along with crazing, minor chips, and honest wear. The gilt-brass crest shows scattered verdigris and rubbed gilding. There is no movement, no hands, and no case. This is the face and front assembly only, great for decorative use. 

A note on provenance. The Comtoise (Morbier) attribution and early-to-mid-19th-century dating are made on style alone. No maker's signature is visible, so we offer the story as a likely one, not a certified one. Dimensions, weight, and price to be confirmed.