"CA", France, Movement No. 1397, 295 x 295 x 135 mm, circa 1880

A very rare French table clock with arcane time display "Tortoise"
Case: wood, octagonal base on six gilded bun feet with outwardly dished walls to imitate a sculpted stone base, Vernis Martin, partly framed in gold; very finely painted with "en grisaille" scenes of working putti representing the four seasons, alternating with painted musical instruments and flower bouquets. On the top finely painted rose decor. Dial: applied silvered pewter dish with engraved and inlaid radial Roman numerals, three-dimensional turtle indicating the time. Movm.: square solid brass movement, 1 barrel for going train, keywind, solid movement pillars, platform with club tooth lever escapement, screw compensation balance, applied large five-arm hour wheel with screwed on circular magnet disc.