French Gilt Brass Desk Compendium Retailed by Dreyfous c.1910

A fine gilt brass Edwardian French clock, aneroid barometer and thermometer desk compendium retailed by Edouard Henry Dreyfous, Paris, London and New York, c1910. Antique desk compendium, the barometer with 2" silvered die struck dial calibrated in centimetres of mercury with a range from 69 – 80 and divided to 10ths, standard meteorological terms in French, "Tempete, Pluie ou Vt, Variable, Bau Temps, Tres Sec," the lower part marked "Barometre Aneroide," blued steel arrow pattern pointer, gilt reflector ring, bevelled glass, the rack and pinion movement driven from a 1¼" capsule. The clock with enamelled dial Arabic numerals, the chapter ring divided into minutes with stations at the quarter hour, blued steel spade and sword hands. Winding square at the 6 o’clock. Flip open bezel with bevelled glass. The semi-circular thermometer set to a circular silvered register, calibrated in degrees centigrade with a range from 10° – 50°. The three instruments with matching cast and turned bezels, and set in a heavy gilt brass sloping case engraved profusely with cherubs and foliate scrolls, the lacquered verso struck with the retailer's name "E. Dreyfous, Paris - Londres - New York." All contained within its original fine brown leather, cream silk and velvet lined gold tooled presentation case. Swinging catches to the front, the retailer's details in gold block to verso. Desk compendia of this type are very seldom seen, particularly with the original presentation case. This is the work of a French maker, certainly of good quality items, and retailed by one of the then, and for that matter now, best recognised names in luxury goods. The finish in gold-plated brass with light hazing and wear generally, though much of the original colour and lustre remains. The presentation case remains structurally sound, generally in remarkably good condition, the leather exterior with good colour, the gold tooling remaining generally sharp, some losses and dulling . The silk and velvet interior with general discolouration, some localised perishing at wear points. The silk hinge cover replaced. All three instruments have been the subject of meticulous conservation and servicing, and are working as they should. A truly wonderful item in very original crisp condition. Certainly for the collector or connoisseur alike.