An Extremely Fine and Rare 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Clock

This impressive mantel clock with an eight day single fusee movement evokes the concept of time well spent in learning. It is crowned by Jupiter's eagle who bears sacred oak garlands above the dial, whose Ionic capital cradle is framed by addorsed studying nymphs. They are seated on a bronze plinth which is centred by an Arcadian Pan mask amongst golden flowered ormolu garlands, the whole resting on turned baluster feet. The dial is cast in ormolu and unusually has Arabic numerals, surround by a anthemion frieze bezel. With the eagle a symbol of Jupiter and hence the divinity of learning, and the mask of Pan a reference to the natural world. This clock is, therefore, a celebration Natural Philosophy, the study of science and the natural world, and a display of classical learning and understanding. The two seated figures derive from the model of L'Etude, which together with La Philosophie, was created for the Sèvres factory by Louis-Simon Boizot in 1780. Under the instructions of the marchand-mercier Dominique Daguerre, these figures were incorporated into a clock design, from which the present clock derives, by the cisleur-doreur François Rémond. In 1788 Daguerre delivered two clocks after his new design to Louis XVI for the Château de St. Cloud. The model obviously appealed to the Prince of Wales, later George IV, as he purchased two clocks of this model from Daguerre, one of which was in his bedroom, the other in his dressing-room one is now in Windsor Castle the other in Buckingham Palace. This clock was probably made by Baetens & Co who specialised in bronze and ormolu decorative objects in the Regency period. No doubt identifying the fashionable subject matter and style after the Prince Regent popularised it at Carlton House. They made models in bronze ormolu and marble for many clock makers of the period. A near identical version of this clock was in the collection of the Marquess of Bath at Longleat House until its sale at Christies in 2002, made by Santiago James Moore French of the Royal Exchange. Other examples of this clock have been recorded by Barraud and Lund...

A one of a kind english twin fusee carriage clock by James Moore French. The eight day movement has a large English jewelled level escapement with compensated bimetallic balance. The movement is wound and set through a round glazed door at the back and can be regulated from the outside as the fast/slow arm extends through the back of the case with rack striking the hour and half hour on blued steel gong with trip repeat. The gilt dial is signed as is th back plate of the movement, the centre of the dial is engraved with foliate scroll work with a roman chapter and breguet style moon hands. The unusual case of case bronze in a rococo revival style is finely chased with fluted sides flanked by Cariatids with a swag of fruit and flowers strung between them, th handle is formed of two dolphins. James Moore French was born in 1781 in County Antrim, Ireland. He was the son of Dr Hugh French and Sarah (née Arundel) French who married his father in 1763 and died in 1783, two years after James’s birth. In 1784, the year after Sarah’s death, Dr Hugh French married a widow named Judith Woodward who was to raise the young James French as her own, alongside his own and his half siblings. As a young man, James French moved from Ireland to London, where he worked with a relative, Peter Moore...

A beautiful French 19th century Louis XV st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze cartel clock. The clock displays a most elegant and decorative cloud like design with richly chased love bird...

The central circular dial surmounted by two love birds, the lower section with two cherubs on either side, and decorated with garlands of flowers and scrolling features throughout.