219.             $500

F. Gilbert á Paris porcelain clock, ca. 1840. A spectacular 18-inch porcelain clock with a French gentleman tempting a young maiden, her dog taking a keen interest in the ongoings. The casting is exquisite, finely detailed and brightly colored.  The piece is in two parts, the top half lifts off to access the pendule de Paris 8-day, time and half-hour strike movement.  The pendulum is suspended on a string, dating this clock to the first half of the 19th century; the movement is signed “Gilbert F á Paris” and there is a medal stamp above it.  The porcelain dial shows several hairline cracks, the hands are appropriate French trefoil design.  I see only one flaw, a piece of the trim is missing at the top of the clock on the right, above the 2.  You may be able to live with that.  The clock is running and striking.  $500-$1000.