Downton Abbey: The Dowager’s Elephant Clock

Figural Elephant Clock on Lady Violet's Mantelpiece
Figural Elephant Clock on Lady Violet's Mantelpiece

Lady Violet, played by Dame Maggie Smith in a scene from Downton Abbey is seen next to the mantelpiece of the dower house. An antique figural elephant clock is easy to spot on the mantel. A similar clock was up for auction at dickinsauctioneers.com Lot 86 - Rare 19 thC French 8 day Elephant Clock:
Rare 19 thC French 8 day Elephant Clock

: possibly Anglo - Indian , a spelter case depicting an elephant with Howdah, the Mahout fending off a tiger all stood on a shaped base with elephant head front legs, the 8 day clock with 3" dial having enamel numbers, the movement with outside count wheel and striking on a bell every half hour and hour, the whole 12 1/4" x 6"deep x 17" high.c1 c2

Similar French 19th c. Elephant Clock
Similar French 19th c. Elephant Clock

This is a similar antique c1870 french gilt metal cased mantle clock also with with a 8 day bell strike The scene looks just like the previous one but richly coloured, described on eBay.com as " a figural bronzed patinated black elephant standing on a rocky surface with a gilt metal big cat attacking the elephant at the neck with the Mahoot elephant rider behind going to attack the cat which looks like a panther or lioness
The elephant is supporting the handled wagon which encloses the original french 8 day striking movement and original dial with its original finial to top all standing elegantly on its elegant base with embossed decoration and superb elephant head feet with tusks.
The elephant has some coloured enamel decoration which looks to be original ... embossed bronze dial with white porcelain numeral cartouche's with black roman numerals and fancy embossed decoration.. dial is protected by its convex glass and brass bezel hinged door
Movement
The clock benefits from its original french 8 day bell strike movement which strikes the bell on the half and full hour counting the hours on the hour with its original brass pendulum"
Measurements
It measures 17" high x 12" wide x 6.25" deep

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