BY FESTEAU LE JEUNE

Details

A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED WHITE MARBLE CLOCK
By Festeau le Jeune
In the form of a fluted column, the circular enamel dial with Roman and Arabic chapters and pierced lyre and fleur-de-lys shaped giltmetal hands within a rope-twist bezel and glazed door surrounded by laurel and foliate swags, surmounted by a putto with a globe and a bust of a philosopher, the column base with a bas relief of playing putti, on a beaded square plinth and turned feet, the dial signed 'Festeau Le Jeune a Paris', the finial mount with repaired breaks
15½ in. (37.5 cm.) high; 6½ in. (16.5 cm.) wide; 6 in. (15 cm.) deep

Provenance

Sir Julius Wernher, 1st Bt. (1850-1912), Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, in the Library, by whom bequeathed, with a life interest to his widow Alice, Lady Wernher, subsequently Lady Ludlow (1862-1945), to his son
Sir Harold Wernher, 3rd Bt. (1893-1973), Luton Hoo, Bedfordshire, in his personal Study, and by descent.

Literature

1913 Luton Hoo Inventory, p. 20, no. 74, in the Library.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The signature is probably that of Simon-François Festeau, recorded at rue Saint-Martin, 1772-8, rue Montmorency, 1780, and rue Montorgueil, 1789. Between 1776-81, he was charged with the upkeep of the clock in the Bastille.

More from WORKS OF ART FROM THE WERNHER COLLECTION

View All