An exceptionally rare French gilt and patinated bronze night projection timepiece, by Bofenshen, Paris, early 19th century

the urn shaped case surmounted by a seated eagle over a tapering body to a foliate-cast lower section and circular socle mounted on a rectangular plinth applied with a cherub on clouds with a burning torch, set to the sides with a pair of winged female scroll handles, the signed three inch white enamel dial with outer minute track with Arabic quarters enclosing delicate Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary arc for regulation and a pair of blued steel moon hands, all within a cast oak leaf bezel, the movement wound from the front and set to the rear with a concave Arabic dial and hands that project the correct time through a lens mounted to the rear.

Bofenschein is listed as working in Paris from 1807-1813.

Night clocks allowed the owner to see the time in the dark - not only useful on waking in the middle of the night, but also more generally in the darker winter evenings. The current clock has been converted to use a small light bulb and battery set-up.