22nd Jul, 2026 10:00
Fine Watches & Carriage Clocks Auction
French repeating alarm carriage clock retailed by Vrard & Co, made for the Chinese market
A French engraved gilt brass centre seconds repeating alarm carriage clock, made for the Chinese market, in the manner of Charles Joseph, retailed by L Vrard & Co, Shanghai, c1890, the eight-day two train movement striking the hours and half hour on a bell, with platform lever escapement, the inside of the frontplate stamped 693 over 2477 to lower right-hand corner and the backplate applied with external visible strikework, the alarm mechanism set between the plates to the bottom left and sounding on a second bell mounted within the base of the case and stamped 693, the backplate also stamped with number 693 to the lower left opposing Chinese characters to the right, the rectangular white enamel Roman numeral dial signed L. VRARD & Co., SHANGHAI, HANKOW to centre, with blued steel moon hands and sweep centre seconds over Arabic numeral alarm setting dial to lower margin, the bevel-glazed gilt brass cannelee case with hinged faceted baton carrying handle over oval top glass set within leafy scroll engraved surround incorporating repeat button to front edge, with losenge engraved channel-moulded uprights and the rear with glazed pin-hinged door, on ogee moulded skirt base finely engraved with further symmetrical leafy scrolls; 16cm high (with handle down), 9.5cms wide, 8,5cms deep.
Notes: A similar carriage clock to this lot is listed by Leigh Extence (stock ref. 1014 for £3,500), with the description indicating that the movement carries the trademark for the roulant blanc maker 'C, Joseph'. Records refer to a Charles Joseph being born in 1738 and dying in 1804; who was also known to have been in Shanghai in 1784. A Charles P.H. Joseph is recorded in Tardy's as subsequently working in Paris 1852-1935.
Sold for £700
IN PERSON: If you want to experience the atmosphere of the Auction Room the best way to do this is always to turn up in person. You simply register your personal details at Reception (so leave at least 10 minutes for this before your lot in case there is a queue) and you are issued with a paddle number which you hold up to the auctioneer when you wish to bid. If you haven't done so already you can view your lot(s) this way on the same day. There is time before each auction starts to do this however if you ask the staff on duty they can bring lots to you for inspection if the auction has began.
COMMISSION/ABSENTEE BID: If you are unable to attend the sale in person or would like the Auctioneer to bid on your behalf you can leave a bid on our website when registered (up to 30 minutes before the auction begins) and you'll receive and e-mail confirming them. Alternatively, send them to bids@andersonandgarland.com or telephone our team on 0191 430 3000 and we'll be happy to add them for you. We will try to secure the item for you as reasonably as is allowed by other bids and the reserve price, if any. Commissions placed by telephone, fax or e-mail are made only at the buyer's own risk.
INTERNET BIDDING: You an also bid live via our website. When choosing to bid live via www.andersonandgarland.com you will need to register, using a bank card, to verify your address details. We would ask for you to register before the sale to make sure that you are verified for when you come to bid in the auction. To bid live on the sale day you will access the sale by going to www.andersonandgarland.com and clicking on the sale this will have a grey banner across the sale photograph which says 'bid live'. Please click on this and it will take you to the sale. Please note the bid live banner only appears once the sale commences on the sale day and is not there beforehand.
You can also bid live on www.the-saleroom.com however this is hosting site charges an additional 6% (plus VAT).
TELEPHONE: Telephone bids are only available for lots estimated at over £250. Lots which are bought for less than £250 via telephone bidding will incur a £10 (plus VAT) per lot charge. We only accept telephone bidding registrations up to the day prior to the lot in question going under the hammer. At the point of registration all new bidders will be required to submit proof of identification and address. This can be either a current driver's licence or ID card showing the registered address, or a passport together with a recent utility bill bearing the registered address which can be emailed to a.orgill@andersonandgarland.com. Only when this identification is received can the registration process be completed and your telephone line will then be secured for you. As the number of telephone lines are limited, early booking is recommended. (We also recommend that you leave an “emergency cover bid" in case we are unable to reach you by telephone). Please note - there are inherent dangers with telephone bidding; despite our best efforts, Anderson & Garland Ltd. may be unable to contact the intending bidder at the appropriate time. All such arrangements are therefore made entirely at the intending bidder’s risk.
Auction: Fine Watches & Carriage Clocks Auction, 22nd Jul, 2026
Click the 'View' button on the right to see highlights from this sale.
Viewing
Fri 17/07/26 12pm-3pm
Sat 18/07/26 10am-12pm
Mon 20/07/26 10am-3pm
