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c. 1765 French Ormolu Transitional Mantle Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P150 |
| Maker: |
Le Roy A Paris. |
| Case: |
The shaped ormolu case is composed of sweeping floral elements accentuated by wonderfully contrasting matte and burnished gold finishes. It is a tribute to astronomy with a globe and compass in the center, has engraved fretwork to all sides and a decorative finial above. |
| Dial: |
The large white porcelain dial has blue lettering, Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks, elaborate ormolu hands, the fast/slow over the '60' and is signed by the maker, 'LeRoy A Paris'. |
| Movement: |
The large eight-day time and strike movement has turned posts, a large countwheel with a star shaped center, an updated Brocot escapement and is signed, 'No 2160, LeRoy & Fils, Hger Du Roi, a Paris'. |
| Notes: |
This is a great example of the transitional phase between the Rococo style and the Neo-classical. |
| Size: |
16.5 in. |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1806 Large French Ormolu, Patinated and Antico Verde Marble Mantle Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P149 |
| Maker: |
Unsigned |
| Case: |
The superb case depicts a triumphant Jason clad in battle garb and reaching for the Golden Fleece that hangs from the patinated tree. The whole stands on a variegated marble base with four substantial animal feet. |
| Dial: |
The well-cast ormolu dial features Jason and Medea on a chased ground with raised Roman numerals for the hours and nicely shaped steel Breguet-style hands. |
| Movement: |
The eight-day time and strike movement has a silk thread suspension with the fast/slow off the backplate, customarily unusual winding arbor locations and countwheel striking on a bell. |
| Notes: |
The time spring is dated 1806.
For a similar model see:
There are also examples in the former bathing area of the empress Josephine at the Chateau de Malmaison and in the Spanish Royal Collection in Madrid. |
| Size: |
24.5in. x 16in. |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1800 French Quarter Chiming Marble, Ormolu and Ebonized Skeleton Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P148 |
| Maker: |
Musical Movement – Thwaites, 2089. |
| Dial: |
The beautifully designed and executed three tiered case has cast inverted-y ormolu frames for the movement, multi-piece shaped and beaded uprights and four finely cast volutes that are sandwiched between shaped white marble pieces with beaded edges. The whole stands on an oval ebonized base with ormolu appliqués, decorative feet and a date dial. |
| Dial: |
The white porcelain chapter ring time dial has Arabic numbers for the hours, finely finished ormolu hands and an oak leaf bezel.
The blue porcelain date dial has gilt Arabic numbers, 1-31, concentric circles and an acanthus leaf bezel. |
| Movement: |
The eight-day time and strike movement has a chain fusee, decorative ormolu screw caps for the posts, the going barrel incorporating a fretted cap mounted to the marble below, an eight spoke great wheel, a pinwheel escapement with elongated calipers and a pendulum with a sunburst bob suspended by a steel spring. The strike trains are activated by a string that is guided by pulleys and travels along the backside of the frame.
Mounted to the underside of the clock base and concealed within the ebonized base is the large double fusee striking movement. It strikes the quarters on a nest of 6 bells with 6 hammers, strikes the hours on a large bell, is stamped 'Thwaites, 2089', is wound out the front, carries the steel date hand that is advanced by the strike train and has a vertically mounted plunger that advances the strike for resynchronization. |
| Notes: |
There were a small amount of this wonderfully delicate variation of skeleton clock made around 1800. Some were just the clock and others incorporated a base that housed the quarter and hour strike trains.
For a very similar example lacking the calendar feature see:
- 'Continental and American Skeleton Clocks', by Roberts, pgs. 77-78.
For additional information on French skeleton clocks with inverted-y shaped frames see:
- 'Skeleton Clocks' by F B Royer-Collard, pg.64.
- 'Continental and American Skeleton Clocks' by Roberts, pg.68.
The Thwaites family of clockmakers had a long history dating back to the beginning of the 17th century. John Thwaites was head of the firm from 1780 to 1816, a master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1815, 1819, and 1820, provided fine quality clock and musical movements to the domestic and export trade and partnered with George Reed beginning in 1816. According to the available Thwaites' records the number stamped on the strike movement, 2089, shows it was made about 1799. |
| Size: |
21.5 in. |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1765 Ormolu and Patinated Horse Clock
| Inv. #: |
P147 |
| Maker: |
Etienne Lenoir |
| Case: |
The ormolu and patinated case features a prancing horse with a finely textured finish, a wellcast snail, scrolling foliage above framing the clock and a cast and textured base. |
| Dial: |
The finely painted white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic five-minute marks, finely cast and finished hands and is signed by the clockmaker, 'ETIENNE LENOIR, A PARIS'. |
| Movement: |
The eight-day time and strike movement has asymmetrical winding arbors, a silk thread suspension adjusted for fast/slow at the back, a star shaped countwheel and is engraved 'Etienne LeNoir A Paris'. |
| Notes: |
Etienne Lenoir (maître in 1717) and his son Pierre-Etienne (maître in 1743) worked together from 1750 to 1771. They sold a great number of clocks throughout Europe and in 1759 their stock was valued at more than 28,000 livres. Their clock cases were made by Cressent, Latz, Caffiéri, Saint-Germain and Osmond. Springs were supplied by the Richards, Buzot and Masson; enamel dials by Martinière and Decla.
For additional examples of 18th century animal clocks see: 'La Pendule Francais', pgs. 125-135. |
| Size: |
18.5 in. |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1820 Very Rare Ormolu and 'bleu turquoise' Porcelain Lyre Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P146 |
| Makers: |
Joseph Dieudonné Kinable
Richard Symes – Dialmaker
Sèvres – Porcelain Makers
George Tupman – Repair mark |
| Case: |
The exceptional lyre-form 'bleu torquoise' porcelain case has finely painted polychrome floral garlands on white grounds along the base and stem and is adorned with exceptionally detailed and finished ormolu mounts that include beaded edges, floral swags and a large sunburst featuring Apollo. |
| Dial: |
The finely lettered white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, gilt Arabic ten-minute marks, finely engraved and chased hands, is signed on the reverse by the dial maker, 'R Symes' and is signed on the front, 'Kinable'. |
| Movement: |
The eight-day time and strike double fusee flat bottom movement has a dead-beat escapement, rack striking, an inscribed repair mark, 'Tupman, 1848', and strikes on a bell. The grid-iron pendulum is suspended above by knife-edge, has a screwed beat adjustment off the crutch, a beaded ormolu ring surrounding the dial and a lenticular bob at the back that is adjusted for fast/slow. |
| Notes: |
Joseph Dieudonné Kinable, 1794- 1830, was located at Galerie de Pierre. He provided high quality clocks that included elaborately decorated enamel skeleton clocks and exceptional porcelain lyre clocks.
The Sèvres Royal Porcelain Factory began producing lyre clocks from about 1785 although the case shape dates much earlier. They produced these models in a variety of colors including dark and turquoise blue, green and pink. Although we have seen two tone examples, this is the first one we have seen decorated with polychrome garlands on a white ground.
Both the movement and dial are original and English. This is very much like the Weeks clock we have where there is a superb French case with a high quality English movement and dial.
Richard Symes, 1816-35, is listed in 'Brittens' as a clock dial maker and glass bender.
George Tupman & Co. was first established in London in 1790 and offered repairs and a winding service up until the end of the 19th century.
For some additional examples of porcelain lyre clocks by Kinable see:
- 'Royal Clocks', pg. 130 and 131.
- 'La Pendule Francais', pg. 230.
For some additional examples at auction see:
- Sotheby's, Sale Number N08822, Lot 974.
- Koller Auctions, Dec. 6, 2012, Lot 1154.
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| Size: |
23.5 in. |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1820 Rare French Patinated and Ormolu Automated Windmill Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P145 |
| Maker: |
Unsigned |
| Case: |
The patinated and ormolu case depicts a classic French barnyard scene with a windmill in the center. It has engraved shingles, a textured roof with a grotesque center finial, bags of grain hanging off pulleys to the side and four patinated and ormolu sails. The numerous decorative figures include a boy descending the stairs, a dog, a mule, chickens, several farmyard implements and a tree. The dog and mule are patinated and have glass eyes commonly found in the blackmoor clocks. The whole stands on a rectangular base with animal feet and a cast freeze depicting a French landscape scene complete with windmills. |
| Dial: |
The well-lettered white porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the 15 minute marks, Breguet-style hands, is signed 'a Paris' and has a decorative bezel with a snap-on beaded edge. |
| Movement: |
The round eight-day time and strike movement has an elongated back-cock, a brass tear drop pendulum, an early steel suspension, the fast/slow adjusted out the dial and countwheel striking on a bell.
The animation movement is mounted just above the clock movement, has a manual start/stop pull rod, is wound out the back and turns the windmill sails for several hours when activated. |
| Notes: |
For similar clocks see:
French Clocks by Tardy, Volume 2, Page 297.
La Pendule Francais, Kjellberg, pg. 436. (missing one of the figures)
This clock is interesting because it was not only the predecessor to the industrial clocks of the late 19th century, but also because it has several similarities to the blackamoor clocks popular during this time. The animals are both patinated and have porcelain eyes, the beaded edge of the bezel is force fit and the tree in the background is the same tree found on the 'America' version with the construction and casting nearly identical. |
| Size: |
21.5 in. (clock) |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1790 Superb French Marble, Ormolu and Enamel Skeleton Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P143 |
| Maker: |
Jacques Joseph Castagnet – Clockmaker
Georges Adrien Merlet – Enameler |
| Case: |
Supporting the mechanism are two thick arched frames with applied beaded edges with the front frame carrying a blue enamel plaque decorated with gilt stars. They stand upon ormolu multi-piece columns that are supported by a stepped variegated rouge marble base on four bun feet. |
| Dial: |
The finely lettered white porcelain dial with multi-colored lettering is by Merlet and is signed along the bottom edge 'GM'. The Roman numerals for the hours and the Arabic five-minute marks are both in black while the rest of the complications are primarily in red with slight additions of blue. These include the days of the week opposed by their zodiac signs, a 31-day calendar and the clock-maker's signature, 'Castagnet a Paris'. There are also a host of finely cut hands that include a serpentine shaped steel date indicator, a double sided steel cut serpentine shaped indicator for the days/zodiac symbols, a sweep second and elaborate ormolu hour and minute hands. Surmounting the time dial is the white porcelain moon dial that shows the 29.5 day Lunar cycle as the moon, set in a blue sky with gilt stars, travels across a shaped aperture. |
| Movement: |
The superb eight-day three train movement has a partially skeletonized back plate, exceptional finely-cut wheelwork, a pinwheel escapement with opposing steel pallets, decorative count-wheels for both the quarter and hour strikes and three graduated bells. The quarter striking train also advances the moon dial once per day. The seven rod grid-iron pendulum carries the screwed beat adjustment and is suspended by knife-edge suspension. |
| Notes: |
Georges-Adrien Merlet, 1754-1812, was one of the great enamellers of the 18th and early 19th centuries along with Coteau and Dubuisson. He apprenticed under Berbezet, worked with some of the great makers including Lepaute, Bertoud and Folin and also offered wonderfully enameled clocks under his own name.
The main dial carries the initials 'GM' along the bottom edge while the other enamel parts carry the initials on the reverse sides.
The movement was supplied by the Parisian clockmaker Jacques-Joseph Castagnet (1729-30 - 1803-4), who became a master in 1776. He is listed as working from Rue St. Martin and was appointed a député of his guild 1779-83 and a syndic in 1786. Although few clocks carry his signature, the ones that do are of exceptional quality.
For a similar example see:
The Getty Museum Collection: http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=6205
For additional examples see:
'La Pendule Francais', pg. 315. |
| Size: |
description |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1833 Rare French Time and Strike Skeleton Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P142 |
| Case: |
The ormolu and patinated bronze case has cove moldings top and bottom, block feet and supports the large movement above. |
| Dial: |
The engine-turned silvered dial has painted Roman numerals for the hours and ormolu Breguet-style hands. |
| Movement: |
The large horizontally oriented two week time and strike movement has thick plates, massive screwed posts, long steel screwed hold-downs with large knurled ormolu heads and a dead-beat escapement with jeweled pallets. Within the case is the motion work, mounted behind the dial and driven from above, and the bell that is struck by torsion. The compensating grid-iron pendulum is suspended by a steel spring, adjusted for fast slow from above, has a screwed beat adjustment off the crutch and hangs down into the case. |
| Notes: |
The original spring has numerous inscriptions that include the date the spring was finished, 'juin 1833' and also several repair dates that include 'Clean'd New York 1843 JNB' and 'J. Buchanan at WM Moir March 13, 1883'.
William Moir (1826-1896) was a prominent jeweler who emigrated from Scotland to New York in 1835. He became a journeyman to Emmet Pell and subsequently, upon Pell's retirement in 1844, bought and ran the business at 315 Hudson St. with his brother John. In 1870, after his brother retired, William Moir commissioned a five-story, cast-iron-clad structure (Theodore A. Tribit, architect) for his own business at No. 711 [originally 373] Sixth Avenue, at the southwest corner of West 23rd Street. Moir's business in 1872 included a fine selection of French clocks and bronzes, specially imported by him.
For a similar clock see:
'La Pendule Francaise' by Kjellberg, pg.315. |
| Size: |
16.5 in. (height)
12.5 in. (width)
6.5 in. (depth) |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1790 French Ormolu and Marble Swinging Lyre Clock.
| Inv. #: |
P140 |
| Maker: |
Breant a Paris |
| Case: |
The well cast and burnished ormolu lyre shaped frame has layers of decorative beading and numerous ormolu mounts including a floral swag, a Medusa bust on a burnished sunburst, rosettes, chains, tassles and a freeze of interlocking circles. Below are shaped pieces of gray and white marble and a burnished rectangular base. |
| Dial: |
The white porcelain dial has bold Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic five-minute marks, gilt dots, a 31-day calendar with red Arabic numbers and a steel-cut indicator hand and ormolu scissor hands with fleur-de-lis pointers. |
| Movement: |
The eight-day time and strike skeletonized movement has well-cut wheelwork, a star cut countwheel and a pinwheel escapement. The whole, dial and movement, acts as the pendulum and is suspended by gridiron from a reverse knife edge suspension and set in beat with a screwed beat adjustment. |
| Notes: |
Jean-Nicholas-Michel Breant became master in 1778. |
| Size: |
21in. |
| Retail Price: |
On Request. |
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c.1810 French Ormolu Mantle Clock
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Inv. #:
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P137
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Maker:
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Dubuc Aine a Paris.
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Case:
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The well-cast and finished ormolu is surmounted by a female figure leaning over and opening the top door of cage containing a putti. Flanking the clock are two large winged griffins on a stepped base with unusual stylized floral feet.
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Dial:
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The well-lettered white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, a cast ormolu bezel, cast ormolu hands and is signed, 'Dubuc Aine a Paris'.
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Movement:
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The large eight-day time and strike movement has a silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow off the back, nicely cut and finished wheelwork and countwheel striking on a bell.
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Notes:
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his model is commonly referred to as 'La Delivrance de l'Amour'.
For a similar clock see: 'La Pendule Francais' by Kjellberg, pg 392.
Dubuc aine is listed as working in Paris at Rue du Grenier Saint-Lazare in 1804 and Rue Michel le Comte from 1806-17.
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Size:
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21.5in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1810 Large French Ormolu, Patinated and Marble Mantle Clock.
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Inv. #:
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P135
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Maker:
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Unknown
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Case:
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The substantial well-cast and finished ormolu and patinated case depicts Cupid standing beside his bow and a female maiden clad in flowing drapery and holding the handle of a broken urn. The whole is surmounted by a spouting water fountain and supported by a variegated verde antico marble base with bun feet.
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Dial:
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The fine white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, cast ormolu hands and is signed 'a Paris'.
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Movement:
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The eight-day time and strike movement has the fast slow out the front, count-wheel striking on a bell, a flat bottom and still retains the original silk-thread suspension.
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Size:
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21in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1815 Large French Ormolu, Patinated and Marble Mantle Clock.
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Inv. #:
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P134
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Maker:
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Lesieur a Paris.
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Case:
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The substantial well-cast and finished patinated bronze and ormolu mantle clock depicts a seated figure of Erato clad in flowing drapery and playing an ormolu lyre, has numerous decorative mounts including winged griffins and muses, is surmounted by a bust of Homer and is supported by a variegated verde antico marble and ormolu base that is adorned with several appliques representing the arts.
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Dial:
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The fine white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, Breguet-style steel-cut hands and is signed by the maker, 'Lesieur a Paris'.
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Movement:
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The eight-day time and strike movement has the fast slow out the front, count-wheel striking on a bell and still retains the original silk-thread suspension.
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Notes:
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Lesieur is listed as working at Rue de la Verrerie from 1812-1850.
Erato was the muse of lyric and love poetry and was a favorite theme for such bronzers as Thomire and Galle.
Homer is considered the father of epic poetry.
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Size:
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24in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1765 French Ormolu Mantle Clock.
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Inv. #:
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P132
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Maker:
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Picart a Paris
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Case:
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The shaped Rococo-style curvilinear case is adorned in sweeping floral elements that include c-scrolls, rocaille and shells, has engraved frets to the sides, glazed panels front and back and is surmounted by two doves representing love.
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Dial:
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The well-lettered white porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks, is signed by the maker, 'Picart A Reims', has well cut and finished ormolu hands and a wonderful glazed ormolu hinged bezel.
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Movement:
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The eight-day time and strike flat bottom movement has a silk-thread suspension, is stamped '2639' and has countwheel striking on a bell.
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Notes:
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Picart is listed as working in the mid-eighteenth century.
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Size:
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12in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1842 Massive French Astronomical Skeleton Table Regulator with Remontoire and Quarter- Striking.
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Inv. #:
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P131
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Maker:
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Constantin Louis Detouche
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Case:
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The massive architectural black marble case has eight Doric columns with decorative ormolu mounts, a chased freeze and six bun feet.
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Dials:
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The engraved silvered hours chapter ring has Roman numerals for the hours, indications for the Equation of Time, 'SOLEIL RETARDE, SOLEIL AVANCE' and four steel-cut hands that include Breguet-style time hands, a sweep seconds hand and an indicator for Equation of Time that carries an ormolu sun. It is signed and dated by the maker, 'Constantin Louis Detouche, Paris, 1842'. Flanking the hour dial are the engraved silvered calendar dials. The day dial has a double sided steel hand that points to the days, in French, across the upper half and the zodiac signs along the lower half. The day/date dial has two steel hands that indicate the month and the date on concentric chapters.
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Movement:
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The massive eight-day quarter-striking skeleton movement has multiple thick plates, massive shaped ormolu posts, finely-spoked wheelwork with screwed collets and is supported by four large ormolu columns with knurled ormolu and steel finials.
The spring-driven strike trains are activated by long levers with brass counter weights, have separate countwheels and have ormolu hammers mounted to steel shafts that are rotated vertically to strike the quarters and hours on three glass bells, each with a different tone. Double strikes announce all four quarters while at the hour the third bell is incorporated to strike the appropriate hour.
The time train has twin going barrels, a Graham dead-beat escapement, a coup-perdu and a spring driven remontoire. The shaped brass anchor has steel pallets and an adjustable sliding dovetail to adjust for depth. Power is provided directly to the escapement by the small watch size remontoire spring.
On the back most plate is a vertically mounted y-shaped lever with screwed steel points at the top and a steel pallet below. The points engage a fan assembly made up of three separate fans all carried on the same arbor with the front most fan ratcheted. The steel pallet rests against a sixteen-tooth wheel that shares the remontoire arbor. Every 40 seconds the wheel pushes the steel pallet over enough to allow the fans to rotate 180 degrees and in doing so cause two things to happen. The first is the small remontoire spring is rewound via a series of wheels that run up the back of the movement from the two large barrels bellow and the second is the minute and hour hands jump 40 seconds. In this way the hands are isolated from the going train and have minimal engagement.
The sweep seconds bit is activated by a coup-perdu so the half-second pendulum shows seconds on the dial. It is, however not part of the escapement thus making it independent of the rest of the going train. There is a second adjustable crutch off of the anchor arbor with a pivoted detent that engages the 60-tooth seconds wheel at the bottom and drags it over one second every other swing of the pendulum. Up at the top sits an adjustable weighted steel positioning arm that locks it in place between swings.
The heavy compensating nine-rod pendulum has a screwed beat-adjustment on the crutch, a glazed lenticular bob that contains a compensation scale and is suspended by a steel spring from a substantial block that is mounted to the front plate and has a knurled screw to adjust fast/slow. As the temperature changes the bimetallic curve moves the indicator hand via rack and snail against a silvered scale that has Arabic numbers and is labeled 'froid' and 'chaud'.
The finely cut equation of time kidney is mounted to the month wheel and moves the equation hand by a rack and pinion that is kept in position by a string held by a straight tension spring.
The whole is contained in a purpose made glazed mahogany display case with lift out front and rear doors.
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Notes:
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Constantin Louis Detouche (1810-1889) ran a very successful retail establishment supplying well-made domestic clocks, but was renowned for his few exhibition quality mechanical pieces and his early work on electrical horology and public clocks. He held numerous patents and gained universal admiration for his mechanical genius and public service.
He is listed in Tardy's as working at both Rue St. Martin and Rue de Venise and collaborated with some of the greatest horological minds including Robert-Houdin with whom he was awarded a Gold Medal for their contributions to the 1851 World Exhibition in London.
In 1855 he invented a turn-style that was used for the Universal Exhibitions of 1855 and 1867. In 1857 he was awarded a silver medal by the Société d'Encouragement for repeating strike work for public clocks and also a gold medal at the 1860 Universal Horological Exhibition. He took an early interest in electric horology and in 1851 patented an electromagnetic clock. Royer-Collard notes that Detouche was 'well known in clock-making circles because he was responsible for editing the second edition of Sauniers Treatise, a renowned book of instruction'.
Publicly minded, he was honored by France as a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1853 and became mayor of Villemomble in 1871 where he improved the basic infrastructure including the roads and the water supply. He became a first magistrate in 1879 and died in 1889.
He was buried in the family tomb in the old cemetery in Villemomble.
For another example of his work with glass bells see:
FB Royer Collard, pg. 86 and Sotheby's, NY, Clocks and Watches, April 5-6, 2004.
For a wonderful carriage clock see:
'A Century of Fine Carriage Clocks', clock 12 and Sotheby's, NY, 'Masterpieces from the Time Museum', December 2, 1999.
For an example of his electrical horology see:
Christies, London, 'Magnificent Clocks', Sept. 15, 2004.
For examples of his clocks from the 1851 Exhibition see
http://www.antique-horology.org/gallery/asp/object.asp?id=6151
For this clock at auction see:
Sotheby's, London, Sept. 28-29, 1995, Cover Lot # 350.
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Size:
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Clock: 34in. High x 10in. deep x 18.5in. wide
Case: 80in. High x 16.5in. deep x 25.5in. Wide.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1815 French Mahogany Table Regulator.
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Inv. #:
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P130
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Maker:
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Vuidepot à Paris.
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Case:
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The well-proportioned rectangular brass-bound glazed case has warm toned mahogany veneer, a molded top and bottom and a hinged ormolu engine-turned bezel.
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Dial:
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The finely-lettered porcelain dial has Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the fifteen-minute marks, cast ormolu hands and is signed by the maker, 'Vuidepot à Paris'.
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Movement:
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The eight-day time and strike movement has a pinwheel escapement, a grid-iron pendulum hung from a steel suspension, a screwed beat adjustment on the crutch and strikes on a bell.
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Notes:
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Tardy's lists Vuidepot as working in 1812.
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Size:
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16.5 in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1810 French Ormolu and Verde Antico Marble Mantle Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF11
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Maker:
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Bault et Cie, à Paris.
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Case:
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It depicts a female figure reading by an oil lamp seated at a table with draped sides and claw feet supported by a Verde Antico marble base with bold ormolu feet.
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Dial:
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The well-lettered porcelain dial has black Roman numerals, Arabic 15-minute marks, steel-cut Breguet style hands and is signed by the maker, 'Bault et Cie, à Paris'.
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Movement:
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The eight-day twin barrel movement strikes on a bell and still retains its original silk thread suspension that is regulated for fast/slow at the backcock.
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Notes:
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The model 'La Liseuse' was originally designed by the famous bronzer Reiche who submitted the drawings to the Academy in 1805. Unlike earlier clocks it does not pay tribute to classical themes, but is a tribute to knowledge and learning.
For a similar example and description see 'French Bronze Clocks', pg. 86.
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Size:
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12.5in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1795 French Marble and Ormolu Wishing Well Clock.
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Inv. #:
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P125
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Maker:
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Barancourt A Paris.
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Case:
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Well-cast and finished ormolu and marble clock depicts a wishing well covered in Ivy.
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Dial:
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The well-lettered white porcelain dial has bold black Roman numerals for the hours, gilt minute dots, Arabic fifteen-minute marks, is signed in red, ‘Barancourt A Paris’ and has nicely cast and finished ormolu hands.
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Movement:
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The eight-day time and strike movement has a silk-thread suspension and strikes by countwheel on a bell.
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Size:
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20.5in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1770 French Ormolu and Ebonized Mantle Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF9
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Maker:
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Chevrau A PARIS
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Dial:
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The well-lettered white porcelain dial has large Arabic five-minute marks, Roman numerals for the hours, decorative ormolu hands and is signed by the maker, 'Chevrau A PARIS'.
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Movement:
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The large eight-day time and strike movement has an early Brocot escapement with the fast/slow out the dial and a large star shaped countwheel.
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Notes:
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This model depicts Cleopatra and the serpent on an ebonized base with ormolu mounts.
Jean Pierre Chevrau is listed as being born in 1742, apprenticed in 1758 and becoming a master in 1778.
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Size:
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13in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1840 French Ormolu and Cut Glass Portico Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF50
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Dial:
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The circular cast ormolu dial has a raised floral pattern in the center, black painted Roman numerals for the hours on a smooth chapter ring and steel Breguet-style hands.
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Movement:
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The circular eight-day time and strike movement has an anchor escapement, strikes on a bell and has a decorative gridiron pendulum with a cut glass bob.
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Notes:
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A wonderful example in pristine condition.
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Size:
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19.5in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1840 French Ormolu and Porcelain Portico Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF54
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Maker:
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Barrret Jne. A PARIS
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Dial:
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The circular white porcelain dial with polychrome birds has stylized gilt-bronze hands and Roman numerals for the hours.
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Movement:
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The circular eight-day time and strike movement has a pinwheel escapement with a heavy grid-iron pendulum, a screwed beat adjustment on the crutch, strikes on a bell and is stamped by the maker 'Barret Jne/A PARIS'.
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Notes:
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The fine blue porcelain case with circular gilt decorations has detailed polychrome landscape scenes with birds on white grounds bordered by decorative scrolling gilt work.
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Size:
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23.25in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1800 French Ormolu Mantle Clock Surmounted by Cupid.
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Inv. #:
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DF72
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Maker:
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Duflos á Paris.
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Dial:
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A very nice porcelain dial with Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the fifteen-minute marks, elaborate ormolu hands and an equally elaborate signature, 'Duflos á Paris'.
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Movement:
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A large eight-day time and strike movement with an anchor escapement, countwheel striking and a decorative crutch with a screwed beat adjustment. The extremely well-made pendulum is suspended via a knife-edge that rides in a decorative track and adjusts for fast/slow by a knurled knob out the top.
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Notes:
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The scene at the top with cupid and the dog symbolizes fidelity.
Louis Jacques Duflos is listed as becoming a Master in 1789 and moving to Saint Martin, Paris in 1789 where he is listed as working until 1840. This piece is noteworthy because of the high standards of both the decorative and technical aspects.
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Size:
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22in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1785 French Ormolu and Marble Square Temple d’Amour Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF71
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Maker:
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Baillon a Paris.
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Dial:
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The two rotating annular dials, minutes and hours, have individual white porcelain plaques that are pinned to the circular brass frames. The hour's ring has black Roman numerals while the minute's ring has black Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks.
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Movement:
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The exposed eight-day time and strike movement is horizontally mounted, wound and set through the top, supported by three posts on a burnished ormolu plate, has finely executed wheelwork, countwheel striking on a bell and has a verge escapement. The pendulum has a Gorgon bob suspended by a steel suspension with the fast slow nut below.
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Notes:
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Temple d'Amour clocks are thought to be inspired by the popular monuments that were found in most 18th century gardens and are a subset of clocks commonly referred to as either Annular or Pendule à Cercles Tournants. Although all have rotating rings, the Temple d'Amour clocks appeal to both those interested in classical ornamentation and those who are horologically minded and appreciate the exposed movement.
Ref:
For a copy of the original design drawings of a similar example see Tardy, Vol. II, pg.87.
Jean Baptiste-Albert Baillon is listed in Tardy's as being born in 1727 and working much of the 18th century.
For another annular clock by the maker see: 'La Pendule Francais', pg.287.
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Size:
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17in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1820 French Ormolu, Patinated and Marble Clock Depicting Cupid Seated upon the Annular Sphere.
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Inv. #:
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DF57
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Dial:
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The single annular ring with black Roman numerals for the hours on individual porcelain plaques.
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Movement:
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The high quality silk-thread time and strike eight-day movement is housed in the base and is wound and adjusted from behind the garland at the side.
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Notes:
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A very rare and unusual piece of great quality and form. Garland lifts to provide access to movement arbors.
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Size:
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18in.
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Retail Price:
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On Retail.
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c.1820 French Patinated and Ormolu Mantle Clock Depicting Mother and Child.
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Inv. #:
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P117
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Maker:
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a Paris
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Dial:
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The porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic fifteen-minute marks, a glazed hinged decorative bezel, engraved ormolu hands and is signed, 'a Paris'.
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Movement:
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The eight-day time and strike movement has a silk-thread suspension that is adjusted for fast/slow off the backplate and has countwheel striking on a bell.
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Size:
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4in. (ball diameter).
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1800 French Ormolu Two-Column Mantle Clock with Coup Perdu.
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Inv. #:
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DF44
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Dial:
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The well-lettered white porcelain dial has bold Roman numerals for the hours, an outside minutes ring, an inner seconds ring, a steel seconds bit and finely executed steel-cut Lepine-style hands.
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Movement:
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A very high quality eight-day time and strike movement with a pinwheel escapement planted on the backplate, a Coup-Perdu integrated into the caliper style pallets, and a heavy nine-rod bi-metallic pendulum that is suspended on a reverse knife-edge.
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Notes:
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The Coup-Perdu allows the seconds bit of a clock with a half-second pendulum to advance in full seconds.
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Size:
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20.5in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1800 French Marble, Bisque and Ormolu Temple d'Amour Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF38
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Maker:
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Roque A Paris.
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Dial:
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Hour and minute annular rings with pinned plaques, Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks.
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Movement:
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The eight-day two-train movement is mounted horizontally, has a silk-thread suspension and strikes on a bell.
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Notes:
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The maker's name, Roque, is engraved on the escutcheon through which the pendulum hangs.
Roque is listed as becoming a master in 1770 and working in Paris until 1806.
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Size:
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18in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1800 French Ormolu Mantle Clock with Cupid in Chariot Pulled by Butterflies.
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Inv. #:
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DF34
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Maker:
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Kinable, Palais Royale N. 131.
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Dial:
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Well-lettered porcelain dial with Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the fifteen-minute marks, finely finished cast ormolu hands and is signed 'Kinable Palais Royale N.131'.
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Movement:
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The eight-day two-train movement strikes on a bell, is of exceptional quality, and still retains its original silk-thread suspension.
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Notes:
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DD Kinable is listed as working at the Galerie de Pierre in the Palais Royale 1794-1830.
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Size:
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18in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1800 Large French Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Swinging Lyre Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF33
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Dial:
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The superbly enameled and gilt porcelain chapter ring dial has black Arabic numbers for both the hours and the 15-minute marks. Along the inside edge of the dial are the 30-day red lettered calendar numbers with the 10-day decimal numbers in black. The elaborate gilt decoration includes a garland with green enamel dots that borders the calendar dial, diamond five-minute marks and decorative half-hour marks with red enamel centers. It has wonderfully cast and engraved lyre form hands.
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Movement:
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The eight-day two-train movement has finely cut wheelwork, an anchor escapement, a visible front-plate and strikes on a bell. The seven-rod gridiron pendulum is suspended by knife-edge, has a screwed beat adjustment, is engraved on one of the brass blocks 'obtulit colonia agripina', has a large brass-bound lenticular bob at the back and a large ormolu starburst at the front that encircles the porcelain dial. The starburst swings side-to-side as the clock runs.
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Notes:
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The case has several early Sèvres marks and the springs are signed and dated 1800. The 30-day calendar was established as part of the Revolution when the decimal system was used in France and for a short time employed in horology.
Period swinging lyre clocks in which either the movement or the large decorative pendulum (pay stones or starbursts) moved are extremely rare. It is amazing that this example has survived without damage to either the original ormolu finish, the wonderful porcelain dial or the delicate porcelain frame.
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Size:
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26.5in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c. 1820 Large Ormolu Urn Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF32
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Maker:
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Michelez á Paris.
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Dial:
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The finely lettered porcelain dial is signed 'Michelez, Rue St. honore No. 128' à Paris' on the front, 'Dub 849' on the back, and has cast ormolu hands.
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Movement:
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The eight-day two-train movement strikes on a bell, is of exceptional quality, and still retains its original silk-thread suspension.
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Notes:
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Michelez was a student of Breguet and produced clocks which were of the highest quality. All of the clocks that we have seen by the maker have been superbly finished.
Michelez is listed as working at Rue St. Honore 1820-1830.
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Size:
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19in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c. 1800 French Ormolu Table Regulator in Decorative Architectural Case.
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Inv. #:
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DF16
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Maker:
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Yonge, The Stand.
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Dial:
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Porcelain dial with black Roman numerals for the hours, black Arabic numbers for the fifteen-minute marks, Breguet style hand and is signed, 'YONGE, THE STAND'.
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Movement:
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Eight-day fusee movement with silk-thread suspension located above and eight day striking mechanism mounted below. Strike mechanism accessed by lifting front swag.
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Notes:
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A very rare and unusual piece. The case and movements are French, but the time movement is done in the English style incorporating a fusee. This would seem to indicate that Yonge was the retailer catering to customers who found the French style appealing, but still had a bias for the English style clockwork.
George Yonge is listed as working 1796-1856 in the Stand.
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Size:
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16 in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request.
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c.1770 Exceptional French Ormolu Mantle Clock.
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Inv. #:
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DF6
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Maker:
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Beauvillain à Paris.
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Dial:
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White porcelain dial with black lettering, Roman numerals for hours, Arabic numbers for five-minute marks, signed 'BEAUVILLAIN A PARIS'. Decorative engraved ormolu hands.
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Movement:
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Eight-day time and strike movement with silk-thread suspension, countwheel with bold star in center and strikes on bell.
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Notes:
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Charles Beauvillain is listed as working at Rue des Grands Augustine in 1772 and at Rue du Cimetière Saint-Andrè in 1778.
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Size:
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11.75in.
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Retail Price:
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On Request
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