A very rare early 19th century ormolu, patinated bronze and polychrome paper mache 'negre fumeur' by Robert à Paris. The figure, Francois Dominique Toussaint, is depicted smoking a cigar in traditional ormolu garb that includes a ruffled shirt and a full-length cape. The arms, one resting on his belly and the other holding a cigar, are patinated bronze while the head is polychrome paper mache. The clock is housed in the belly and as it runs the head nods back and forth. The whole stands on an ebonized oval base raised on four feet.

The small silvered dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, an engine-turned bezel, a decorative engine turned center, engraved chapter lines and steel Breguet style hands.

The eight-day time-only movement is stamped by the maker, 'Robert A Paris' and has a pendulum with a lenticular bob that is suspended by reverse knife-edge from the back of the case. The well-balanced detachable paper mache head receives impulse from a small crutch mounted to the top of the pendulum and rocks back and forth on an internal arbor as the clock runs.

Ref: The figure represents Francois Dominique Toussaint (1746-1803), known as Toussaint-l'Ouverture who as a result of his cunning and bravery was made Commander and Chief of Haiti in 1797 and became its liberator in 1802.

A very similar clock was in Sotheby’s, London, ‘Clock and Watch Sale’, June ’92, Lot 397.

Height - 14in.

Retail Price: On Request.

A very nice Charles X ormolu and patinated 'Swinging Cherub' portico clock by Le Roy. The nicely proportioned patinated case has well cast ormolu mounts that include acanthus leaf moldings and bezel, Corinthian columns, decorative floral freezes top and bottom and in the center cupid with his implements.

The well-lettered ormolu dial has a decorative engine-turned center, black Roman numerals for the hours on a smooth chapter ring with engraved borders, Breguet style hands and is signed on a cartouche in the center, 'LeRoy A Paris'.

The eight-day time and strike movement strikes by countwheel on a bell, has a cherub swinging from a brass ring as the pendulum and is stamped '2358'. The pendulum is suspended by a knife-edge suspension that orients it to oscillate front to back, is captured by the crutch at the side of the movement rather than the back and has two steel pallets screwed directly to the crutch that alternately engage with two escape-wheels set in parallel on a single arbor.

Ref: Sotheby's, 'Joseph Meraux Collection', '93, Lot 358.

The spring is dated 1827.

Height - 18in.

Retail Price: On Request.

A rare Charles X patinated and ormolu automaton clock by Faller à Paris. The patinated case has several ormolu mounts that include a floral front frieze that serves as the feet, a decorative center molding with acanthus leaf corners and an elaborate campaign marquee above that shelters a globe, table and an automated figure of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The silvered dial has an engine-turned center, black Roman numerals for the hours and nicely shaped Breguet style hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has a silk thread suspension, countwheel striking on a bell and is stamped 'Faller à Paris' and 725. The animation, Napoleon Bonaparte pacing side to side in the foreground, is powered by a separate animation movement that is mounted above the time movement, wound out the back and runs for close to 24 hours on a single winding.

Ref: For this clock at auction see: Sotheby's, 'Joseph Meraux Collection', '93, Lot 119.

For a similar clock see: Sotheby's, 'Clocks and Works of Art', Amsterdam, '08, lot 464.

Height - 18.5in.

Retail Price: On Request.

A very nice Empire ormolu, patinated bronze and porcelain mantle clock by Noseda à Marseille. The extremely well-cast and modeled case depicts two putti supporting a large gadrooned vase filled with porcelain flowers, patinated leaves and soil. The whole is supported by a rectangular base with bowed sides, turned and beaded bun feet and several mounts that include a well-defined frontal freeze that depicts three putti gardening.

The ormolu dial has a cast floral bezel, an engine-turned center, bold Roman numerals for the hours, a minutes chapter ring, well-cut steel Breguet-style hands and is signed 'Ane Noseda à Marseille'.

The eight-day time and strike movement has an outside countwheel, is stamped '8259 B', has a silk-thread suspension regulated out the bezel and still retains its original pendulum with a cast floral bob stamped '8259' on the back.

Ref: Tardy's lists Noseda as having signed a Capucine clock of the Empire period, but gives no exact living or working dates.

Height - 16in.

Retail Price: On Request

A Louis Philippe walnut floor standing year running regulator by Lepaute à Paris. The small, well-proportioned case has nicely figured and colored walnut veneer, satinwood and ebony inlay, canted front corners, a stepped paneled plinth and a removable top.

The engraved silvered dial has Roman numerals for the hours, an ormolu bezel, finely cut Breguet style steel hands and is signed by the maker, 'Lepaute à Paris'.

The large rectangular movement is attached by two large screws with knurled ormolu heads to a massive brass bracket mounted by six steel screws to the backboard. It has finely cut wheelwork with high pinion counts, a dead-beat escapement with steel pallets carried on the backplate, an elongated crutch with a screwed beat adjustment and is powered by a massive weight that falls down a hidden channel behind the backboard.

The massive three rod bi-metallic compensating pendulum is suspended by spring from a shaped bracket with the fast/slow adjustment above. It has Ellicott type compensation within the glazed compartment in the center of the lenticular bob, a compensation indicator hand that points to a scale engraved with 'condensation/delatation', and a small engraved plaque mounted above that reads, 'On Me Remonte Tous Les Ans' (Rely on me through the years).

Ref: The Lepaute dynasty began in 1720 and lasted into the 20th century. They were an exceedingly talented family whose works are represented in some of the best collections in the world including the Frick and Metropolitan Museum of Art. This clock most likely was produced in the workshop of Henry Lepaute.

Height – 76.5in.

Retail Price: On Request

A very nice quality French portico Amboyna wood table regulator by Vauguelin a Paris. The elegant four columned case has a finely cut cornice molding, stylized engine-turned Doric capitals and an engine-turned bezel.

The dial has a decorative engine-turned center, two steel-cut Breguet-style hands and a porcelain chapter ring with black Roman numerals for the hours. It is signed in delicate script below, 'Vauguelin a Paris'.

The eight-day twin barrel movement has an outside pinwheel escapement, is stamped 'F', has nicely done wheelwork, a screwed beat adjustment and strikes on a bell. The heavy 9-rod gridiron pendulum is suspended from a knife-edge suspension and has the fast/slow adjustment above the bob.

The Amboyna veneer, the wonderful execution of the movement components and the quality of the dial would suggest this maker to be of notable skill and most likely with a prominent clientele.

Height - 18.5in.

Retail Price: On Request

A large and important French Empire figural mantle clock. The ormolu case with a stepped plinth has an extremely well cast and finished cockerel flanked by flambeaus, is covered by a drape and is surmounted by stacked books. The superbly cast patinated female, the personification of 'Study', is dressed in flowing classical attire, clutches a rolled ormolu scroll and casually leans upon the top book. The whole stands upon a red variegated marble base with bun feet that incorporates a wonderfully detailed frieze done in very high relief and depicts putti personifying 'Industry', 'Astronomy' and 'The Arts'.

The well-lettered white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, 'a Paris' centered below and steel Breguet-style hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has the fast/slow out the dial, the letter 'F' stamped on the backplate, countwheel striking on a bell and still retains the original silk-thread suspension.

Ref: Ottomeyer and Proschel attribute the design of this clock to Pierre-Victor Ledure.

Ledure was one of the leading bronzers of the early nineteenth-century and had apprenticed under the renowned bronzer André-Antoine Ravrio. Similar clocks are in the collections of the British Embassy in Paris, The Viana Palace in Madrid and the Brighton Pavilion.

For a similar example see:
'European Pendulum Clocks', Maurice, pg. 82.
'Vergoldete Bronzen', Ottomeyer and Proschel, pg. 349.

Height - 27.5in.

Retail Price: On Request

A French Empire ormolu mantle clock by Armingaud le Jeune à Paris that depicts two cherubs playing billiards. The shaped multi-tiered ormolu case has a stepped base with bun feet, another section with animal feet and is adorned with several decorative appliqués and trophies that relate to both the game of billiards and cupid. Above two Amori, one with feathered wings the other with butterfly wings, are playing billiards on a felt covered table supported by female caryatids.

The dial has an ormolu engine-turned center and bezel and steel Breguet-style hands. The well-lettered porcelain chapter ring with Roman numerals for the hours is signed by the maker, 'ARMINGAUD Jne A PARIS'.

The eight-day time and strike movement still retains its original silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow out the dial and strikes on a bell.

Ref: Armingaud le jeune is listed as working in Paris at Bd. St. Martin 1815-1830.
Early billiard tables had a hoop and stick mounted on the table and the ends of the sticks were curved and sometimes padded.

Height - 12.5in.

Retail Price: $12,500.

A very nice Charles X ormolu and patinated figural mantle clock by LeRoy. It depicts a winged Cupid partially clad in a long flowing cloth swinging from a patinated tree. Below is a stepped rectilinear base with an egg and dart molding, a frontal frieze that depicts Cupid secretly visiting Psyche and two winged front feet.

The silvered dial has an engine-turned center, black Roman numerals for the hours, steel-cut Breguet style hands and has the maker's name, 'LeRoy à Paris' on a cartouche centered below.

The eight-day time and strike movement has an outside countwheel, a silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow out the dial and strikes on a bell.

Ref: Tardy lists several LeRoys, but the one that is most commonly attributed with this style of clock is: 'Charles LeRoy, Rue du Temple, 1830'.

Height - 17in.

Retail Price: $ 5,850.

A very nice French mid-nineteenth century miniature mantle clock by Raingo Fréres. The cast gilt-bronze architectural multi-tiered case has elaborate floral designs on the case panels, the moldings and the domed top. It is also adorned in silvered-bronze mounts that include the toupie feet, an elaborate balustrade, four large corner balusters, multiple cartouches and winged figural corbels.

The dial has a shaped cast decorative center, white porcelain cartouche numbers with black roman numerals and steel-cut blued tre-foil hands.

The small eight-day time only movement is accessed via a lift out cast door, is wound off the backplate, retains its original silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow adjustment off the back and is stamped by both the movement maker, 'Cailly', and the clockmaker, 'Raingo Freres, Paris'.

Ref: Raingo Fréres are listed in Tardy's as working from 1829 to at least 1862.

Height - 8.5in.

Retail Price: $ 4,200.

A French Ormolu Empire clock. The well cast ormolu case depicts Hercules casually leaning against a rusticated stump dressed in a lion's pelt with his club in one hand and some golden apples in the other. He is set upon a rectangular base with canted corners, four bold animal feet and numerous appliqués that include a large trophy freeze with a lion, club, foliage and bow and arrow.

The nicely lettered white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours and well-cut steel tre-foil hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has the fast/slow out the dial and still retains its original silk-thread suspension.

Ref: For a similar clock see: 'French Bronze Clocks', Pg. 64, Fig. 89.

Height - 18.5in.

Retail Price: $12,500.

A musically inspired French Charles X mantle clock by Mme. Gentilhomme à Paris. The ormolu case is surmounted by a two-sided music stand, is flanked by musicians in medieval garb playing instruments and stands on a shaped base adorned with musical trophy appliqués and eight bold engine-turned feet. Open on the stand sits the selected musical arrangement titled 'Air de Visitandine'.

The white convex porcelain dial has bold black Roman numerals for the hours, bold five minute marks, Breguet style hands and is signed by the maker, 'Mme Gentilhomme, Palais Royal à Paris'.

The eight day time and strike movement still retains its original silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow adjusted off the back-cock and strikes on a bell.

Ref: Gentilhomme is listed as working in Paris in the first quarter of the nineteenth century.

For a similar clock see 'La Pendule Francais', pg.437.

Height - 15.25in.

Retail Price: $ 7,800.

A large and impressive double-sided early nineteenth century French gridiron pendulum clock. The clock is housed in the circular bob of a gridiron pendulum with nine oval shaped bi-metallic rods alternating between brass and steel and a lyre shaped mid section. It is suspended by steel suspension from the original bracket above.

Both flat porcelain dials have black Roman numerals for the hours, black minute chapters and steel Breguet-style hands. While one side has a sweep second hand the other has the winding square.

The 14-day time only movement has a pinwheel escapement, finely cut and executed wheelwork and a steel crutch. The crutch engages with a screwed pin beat adjustment that is mounted to a long steel rod screwed to the top bracket.

Double-sided clocks were often displayed in clock shop windows to both attract attention and provide the correct time to passersby. Since they were providing a public service and in turn advertising the shop the quality was always exceptional.

Height - 51in. (to top of bracket)

Retail Price: $18,000.

A very rare example of a two day weight-driven skeleton clock with a musical base that is signed by the makers Auguste Moinau and Rolland Degrege, and numbered '6'. The polished skeletonized frame has heavy plates, thick round pillars screwed to the front plate and is supported by two Doric columns that frame a thermometer and stand on a musical base. It has delicate four spoke wheelwork, an anchor escapement, a passing strike on a bell at the hours and the half-hours, is stamped and numbered by the makers 'Augte Moinau et Rolland Degrege' and '6', and has an additional wheel in the motion work designed to power both the strike and the separate lifting mechanism that activates the musical snuff box at each hour. The pendulum has a lenticular bob, a steel suspension and has a screwed beat adjustment on the crutch. All three weights are suspended from a bowed crosspiece with an ormolu eagle clutching a silvered ball in the center.

The silvered and engraved chapter ring hour's dial has Roman numerals for the hours and steel-cut Breguet-style hands. The silvered engraved thermometer dial has a mercury tube and has all the usual indications in English which means the piece was most likely made for an English speaking market.

The rosewood base has a velvet covered top, decorative floral inlay to the front, stringing all around, four polished ball feet and contains both a large iron weight for ballast and a multi-tune Swiss musical snuff box. The box is activated at each hour by an ingenious lifting mechanism, is wound by pull-string out the side and plays one of four tunes at each hour for approximately 6 hours per wind.

While one of the weights powers the clock, the other two are counterweights and have just enough weight to supply the necessary tension to ensure the chain remains untangled. The continuous chain is lead through a series of pulleys, engages the great wheel in the center and cross at the back to engage the front of a pair of ratcheted wheels that are supported on either side by brackets screwed to the base. A third weight is suspended from above and is pinned to the grooved edge of the rear wheel as is the cord that is directed out the bottom and is used to wind the clock. As the winding cord is pulled, the driving weight travels upward, the opposing weight travels downward and the smaller weight is pulled up and then drops as it rewinds the cord. There is a pulley mounted under the base so the winding cord could be pulled from the front.

This particular model has always been popular especially in America where several pieces have evidently been signed by the eminent American maker Simon Williard. The overall quality, the Lepine aesthetics of the framework and weights and the kinetic artistry when it is wound make all of them wonderful pieces. This particular piece, however, is the finest example we have found as it is in superb condition, has the lowest recorded serial number, which probably places it in the first batch to be produced and is the only known striking example.

Ref: For similar Time-Only examples see 'Skeleton Clocks' by Derek Roberts, pg.97, 'The Victor Gilbert Collection', pg. 23 and 'American Antique Furniture' by Miller, pg. 991.

Auguste Moinau is listed in Tardy's as working in the first half of the 19th century and is credited with several horological discoveries.

Note: The original dome is slightly cracked and is included.

Height - 22.5in. w/out dome.

Retail Price: $32,000.

A very early ormolu and patinated-bronze Series II glass dial mystery clock by Robert-Houdin numbered '28' with the original gilt and rosewood stands. The waisted case has a scrolled and reeded ormolu base, a cherub supporting a cartouche flanked by scrolling foliage and two opposing Griffiths above that support the dial. The case is stamped in several interior surfaces '28' and is stamped on the back 'Brevet d'Invention'. The clock rests on a decorative felt covered carved gilt-wood stand and the whole stands on an inlaid rosewood base.

The well-lettered glass dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, a single arrow-shaped ormolu hand and is supported by a round patinated bezel.

The eight-day time and strike movement is housed in the center of the clock case, is wound and set out the back, still retains its original silk thread suspension and pendulum, strikes on a bell, is stamped by the movement maker 'W. Promoli a Paris' and for the inventor, 'Brevet d'Invention' and is stamped '28' in several places.

The secret to its operation is quite ingenious and completely mechanical. There are two glasses in the top. The front glass serves as the dial while the back remains unseen. The hand, although seemingly mounted to the one top glass is really mounted to the back glass and carried on a long arbor through to the front. The back glass is set into a large gear so the teeth follow its circumference. The power is transmitted up through the case by well executed wheelwork and turns the back glass, essentially a large 'glass' gear, that in turn points the hand to the proper time.

This example, No.28, is particularly remarkable because of its age, condition and originality. One spring, as was often the case on earlier clocks, is dated 1839. That date and the low serial number make it one of the earliest known examples. Amazingly, it also still retains the original two sided key and silk-thread pendulum, both stamped '28'.

Ref: Jean-Eugéne Robert-Houdin (1805-1871) was an extraordinary magician, scientist, and inventor most notably of magical automata and a series of mystery clocks. The success and overwhelming interest of the mystery series, in particular this model, allowed Houdin the financial independence to continue to create. For more information on this eminent maker see, 'Mystery, Novelty and Fantasy Clocks' by Derek Roberts, Chapter 19.

Height - 22.25in.

Retail Price: On Request

A very nice quality French Louis XVI ormolu and marble lyre clock. The unusual ormolu frame is meant to simulate fabric with a beaded edge twisted and shaped into a lyre form. There are several additional mounts that include an oriental inspired parasol decorated with draped chain, a gorgon, a geometric fretwork freeze, scrolling foliage and several beaded edges. The whole stands on a stepped white marble base with simple bun feet.

The well-lettered white porcelain chapter ring dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers with gold dots for the five-minute marks, cast ormolu hands and is framed by an beaded ormolu edge to the outside and an engine turned ormolu ring to the inside.

The large time and strike eight-day movement has an outside countwheel, retains its original silk-thread suspension with the fast/slow out the dial and strikes on a bell.

Lyre clocks have been very popular beginning in the eighteenth century. The frames where created in several materials including bronze, marble and porcelain. It is rare to find an ormolu frame that deviates from the traditional designs as does the present example.

Height - 22.25 in.

Retail Price: $ 15,000.

A rare early 19th century ebony and ormolu swinging portico clock by LeRoy à Paris. The superb ebony veneered two column portico case has tapered columns with finely cut ebony moldings and numerous ormolu mounts that include decorative appliqués, stylized capitals and engine-turned bun feet.

The clock is housed in the 9-rod gridiron bi-metallic pendulum that has a cast ormolu bob, is suspended via reverse knife-edge and has the fast/slow adjustment in the center. At the bottom is a screwed pointer that indicates circular degrees against a rectangular ormolu indicator and in the center is a steel-cut hand that indicates the degree of compensation.

The ormolu dial has a center of concentric circles with various decorative engine turning, painted Roman numerals for the hours set in recessed circles, a name plaque with 'Le Roy A Paris' and two exceptional steel-cut Breguet-style hands.

The eight-day time and strike movement has a crutch that engages a pin on the back of the ormolu register mount. As the clock runs impulse is directed to the crutch and since the pin is immobile the pendulum with the clock swings side to side.

Swinging pendulum clocks had gained popularity in the mid-eighteenth century and continued to be made through the mid 19th century. They ranged both in size and design and like the rest of the decorative arts followed the emerging fashions with this being a particularly refined example.

Ref: For additional information and similar examples see:
Derek Roberts, 'Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks', Chapter 12.

Height - 21.5in.

Retail Price: $ 24,000.

A large Louis XV French ormolu cartel clock by Nepveu à Paris. The lavishly adorned, well-cast and finished ormolu case has two putti amongst the C-scrolls, flower sprays and scrolling foliage. To the sides and front are set floral and engraved fabric backed frets.

The large one-piece porcelain dial with black lettering has a cast and molded glazed bezel, Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numbers for the five-minute marks, is signed by the maker, 'NEPVEU A PARIS', and has two well cast and engraved ormolu hands.

The large square time and strike eight-day movement has chamfered corners, a large star countwheel and a torsioned hammer that strikes a bell mounted above. The escapement had been updated and converted during the Victorian era and now has a Brocot style suspension that is regulated out the dial for Fast/Slow.

French cartel clocks were extremely popular during both the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods. The sizes ranged from very small time-only Boudoir pieces to large imposing examples such as this one.

Tardy's listings for Nepveu range from 1759-1830.

Height - 32 in.

A wonderful Charles X ormolu mantle clock originally designed to celebrate the birth of the Duke of Bordeaux. It depicts a mother, the Duchess of Berry, seated in a chair nursing one child, the Duke of Bourdeaux while the other, his older sibling, recites a bedtime prayer. Other mounts include a detailed baby's crib, two doves nestled amongst scrolling clouds, rosettes and acanthus leaves. The top freeze depicts a seated nude with several feeding chickens and chicks while the freeze in the base depicts a scholar teaching the newborn child in different educational pursuits. The sides have dogs opening a box with a key; a symbol of fidelity. The whole sits upon four ormolu swans feeding cygnets.

The eight-day time and strike movement strikes the hours on a bell, has the fast/slow adjustment out the dial above the numeral twelve and still retains its original silk-thread suspension. The cast ormolu dial has well-lettered Roman numerals for the hours and steel-cut Breguet style hands.

The clock is a strong departure from earlier designs where tribute was often paid to classical themes and the Royal class was idolized. After the Revolution genre scenes in art became popular and instead of a more formal posed portrait they began capturing moments in everyday life including those of the aristocracy and very purposefully the surroundings in which they lived. A tribute to such an intimate moment in the daily pursuits of the Royal class would have been unheard of in earlier periods.

The Duke of Bordeaux, grandson of Charles X, was born in 1820. His father was assassinated before he was born and he was dubbed 'l'enfant du miracle'. His plight was the talk of France and although in line for the throne he was replaced by Louis Philippe as the Orleans branch of the monarchy gained favor. France became a Republic before he and his numerous supporters could regain the throne.

For similar examples see: 'French Bronze Clocks', pg.165 and 'La Pendule Francaise', pg. 429.

Height - 17.5 in.