A rare and highly decorative Kashmiri painted, gilt and lacquered wooden mantel clock, dating to the early 20th century.
The architectural wooden case is surmounted by a sweeping pagoda form roof and carved foliate finial, richly decorated throughout with finely painted flowers and intricate gilt arabesque medallions against a dark ground, characteristic of the decorative arts of Kashmir.
The case houses a French eight-day lever movement by Duverdrey & Bloquel. The dial is marked ‘8 DAYS’ and ‘FRENCH MAKE’, while the movement bears the D-B trademark and is stamped ‘8 DAYS / LEVER MOVEMENT / MADE IN FRANCE / 2 JEWELS’.
An old handwritten service label to the reverse records that the clock was overhauled, cleaned and repaired in August 1968.
A particularly unusual example of Kashmiri decorative art, combining traditional painted and gilt decoration with a French-made timepiece.
The clock is currently working.
Dimensions: 24.5 cm high × 18 cm wide × 7 cm deep.
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear and rubbing to the painted, gilt and lacquered surfaces. There is a small loss to one corner of the projecting roof and a loss to the carved finial, both shown in the photographs, together with minor surface cracking and losses commensurate with age.