French Louis XIV "religieuse" Boulle Clock Signed Nicolas Clement In Paris Circa 1675
Artist: Nicolas Clement
Rare Louis XIV religieuse Boulle clock signed on the front plate by Nicolas CLEMENT
in Paris around 1675.
This is one of the very early clock of "second generation" by end if XVIIth C (1675-1680) characterized by two separate winding spring barrels. The one on the right is for the hours train and the one on the left is for for the stricking train.
The rectangular, ebonised wooden case with an arched top is covered in front by a marquetry of Boulle type with three colors as tin, brass, all on a background of red colored turtle shell.
The design is symmetric as characteristic of King Louis XIV designer Berain and is presenting themes of birds, wines, carved leaves and calyx on the fronton part with ebony wood corners.
To note in the lower front part, a richly decorated "campane" design directly inspired by the lambrequins designs painted on the frescoes of the Palestre d'Herculanum at Pompei.
Below the dial is a gilt bronze figure of Father Time seated and supporting the dial with his raised arms.To his right is an hour glass and an overturned urn spilling coins, to his left a profusion of object to the glory of liberal arts live music and geography. The plinth on which Time sits is inscribed with the name of the clock maker Nicolas CLÉMENT à Paris (jury in 1658). This is to be compared to an identical bronze on French Long case clock with mouvement by Antoine Gaudron with case attributed to Andre Charles Boulle.
The engraved gilt brass chapter ring displays Roman hours and arabic minutes. Pierced and engraved hands. The background is covered with black velvet typical of the early periods. The so-called "percil " hands are original and finely chiseled and decorated. (Small repair on the minute hand).
The original movement is with independent barrels for the hour train and stricking train as French clock makers dropped the tandem single barrel around 1670 and was then generalized by 1675.
The brass plates are connected by five pillars. The escapement was modified in XIXe century and works well with a heavy pendulum that allows accurate running.
To note the small hours counting wheel in the top upper right corner with a finely chiseled fixed steel hand that indicates the number of strokes remaining...interesting option that disappeared later in the end of XVIIth century.
The clock ringing mecanism has kept its original cut-out steel release mecanism.
Exceptional engraving of the signature of the clockmaker Nicolas CLÉMENT in Paris jury of the corporation in 1658.
Book references:
- TARDY Dictionary of French Watchmakers page 131
-The French clock Pierre KJELLBERG, page 64, depicting a LOUIS XIV clock precision regulator made of ebony, red turtle shell , and tin on a copper background.
- European Clock in the JP GETTY MUSEUM 1996 page 2 Long Case Clock attributed to AC Boulle movement by Gaudron.
- Huygens legacy - Golden age of Pendulum clocks - page 119- Boulle case religieuse c1675 by Charles Sarrabat
in Paris around 1675.
This is one of the very early clock of "second generation" by end if XVIIth C (1675-1680) characterized by two separate winding spring barrels. The one on the right is for the hours train and the one on the left is for for the stricking train.
The rectangular, ebonised wooden case with an arched top is covered in front by a marquetry of Boulle type with three colors as tin, brass, all on a background of red colored turtle shell.
The design is symmetric as characteristic of King Louis XIV designer Berain and is presenting themes of birds, wines, carved leaves and calyx on the fronton part with ebony wood corners.
To note in the lower front part, a richly decorated "campane" design directly inspired by the lambrequins designs painted on the frescoes of the Palestre d'Herculanum at Pompei.
Below the dial is a gilt bronze figure of Father Time seated and supporting the dial with his raised arms.To his right is an hour glass and an overturned urn spilling coins, to his left a profusion of object to the glory of liberal arts live music and geography. The plinth on which Time sits is inscribed with the name of the clock maker Nicolas CLÉMENT à Paris (jury in 1658). This is to be compared to an identical bronze on French Long case clock with mouvement by Antoine Gaudron with case attributed to Andre Charles Boulle.
The engraved gilt brass chapter ring displays Roman hours and arabic minutes. Pierced and engraved hands. The background is covered with black velvet typical of the early periods. The so-called "percil " hands are original and finely chiseled and decorated. (Small repair on the minute hand).
The original movement is with independent barrels for the hour train and stricking train as French clock makers dropped the tandem single barrel around 1670 and was then generalized by 1675.
The brass plates are connected by five pillars. The escapement was modified in XIXe century and works well with a heavy pendulum that allows accurate running.
To note the small hours counting wheel in the top upper right corner with a finely chiseled fixed steel hand that indicates the number of strokes remaining...interesting option that disappeared later in the end of XVIIth century.
The clock ringing mecanism has kept its original cut-out steel release mecanism.
Exceptional engraving of the signature of the clockmaker Nicolas CLÉMENT in Paris jury of the corporation in 1658.
Book references:
- TARDY Dictionary of French Watchmakers page 131
-The French clock Pierre KJELLBERG, page 64, depicting a LOUIS XIV clock precision regulator made of ebony, red turtle shell , and tin on a copper background.
- European Clock in the JP GETTY MUSEUM 1996 page 2 Long Case Clock attributed to AC Boulle movement by Gaudron.
- Huygens legacy - Golden age of Pendulum clocks - page 119- Boulle case religieuse c1675 by Charles Sarrabat
4 300 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Louis 14th, Regency
Condition: Perfect condition
Material: Wood marquetry
Width: 29.5 cms
Height: 54.5 cms
Depth: 13 cms
Reference (ID): 1513227
Availability: In stock
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