A French lacquered brass petit-sonnerie striking carriage clock Richard et Cie, Paris, for retail by Dent, London, late 19th century The eight-day two train movement with silvered platform lever escapement, ting-tang sounding the quarters on graduated pair of gongs and striking the hour on the larger of the two, the backplate stamped with R.C. Caduceus trademark over serial number 222 to the lower left hand corner, the rectangular white Roman numeral enamel dial with blued steel spade hands and inscribed DENT, 61 STRAND, LONDON to lower margin, the bevel-glazed corniche case with oval top glass, caddy moulded corner uprights and skirt base, (original numbered winding key present), 14cm (5.5ins) high excluding handle. Richard and Company are recorded in Allix, Charles and Bonnert, Peter CARRIAGE CLOCKS Their history and development as being the London branch of the French firm Richard et Cie (founded in Paris in 1848) which was set up in 1857. By 1867 the branch was located at 24 Cannon Street and signed clocks in English. Richard et Cie were prolific makers of better quality carriage clocks as well as other types of decorative mantel clock who received an Honourable Mention in the 1889 Paris Exposition.