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Lot Essay
ALBERT ODMARK NOTES
Purchased Oct. 8th 1959 from Georges Baptiste, Brussels.
Royer-Collard (op. cit.) writes;
Complex clocks in the skeleton formula became so fantastic they must have surprised even the clockmakers. As most are not identified by their makers' name, the antiquarian horologist is often, as with a painting, left to decide whether a specific piece of workmanship should be attributed to a definite maker because it shows something of his flair or style. Frequently the written reference to a complicated clock is brief. Such a description may be see on page 335 in Baillie's Clocks and Watches, an historical biography (see lot 228). Under the reference circa 1790 Sarton, Hubert he writes "A clock was made for the Duke of Lorraine with a dial which moves once a minute through one hundred and eighty degrees about a vertical axis and then back, so as to show the time in all directions in a room". I found a copy of the booklet in the Ilbert Library at the British Horological Institute in London. (See catalogue illustration).
The 'booklet' was published (probably in miniscule numbers) in 1789 by Hubert Sarton and is an exhibition catalogue describing some of his best clocks for sale, his curious inventions; une nouvelle Machine á extraire la Houille et d'une reconstruction de la fameuse Machine de Marly. The description of the clock leaves no room for doubt that the present clock is either the one made for the Duc de Lorraine in 1773, or an identical timepiece which he made for himself la pareille se trouve encore actuellement chez l'auteur.
The clock's 'swing-head' assembly is probably unique - Sarton was obviously one of life's lateral thinkers, blessed with a clever, inventive mind that worked on a level that only natural intellects and geniuses can appreciate. His other well known skeleton clocks are further testament to his ingenuity, particularly his world time skeleton clocks that are avidly collected today.RSarton was not afraid of stepping away from mainstream horological design, his world time and astronomical skeleton clocks had a peculiar triangular formation. The present clock is totally unique, more akin to a standing figure with arms outstretched. There are no fewer than 722 parts to the movement of this monumental clock and every part and screw is marked in a unique manner and fits only into one spot to which it has been allocated - no production-line mechanics for this clock.
One can only speculate that the reason for the swinging dial was to enable to Duke to read the time from different positions within a room. Sarton's interpretation of the Duke's imagination resulted in a unique clock of great complexity and instantly recognisable features. It is brilliant and iconic example of 18th century clockmaking. A clock which has piqued the imagination of keen skeleton clock collectors for many years and who until now, have only been able to imagine what it may be like to own such a magnificent clock.
Purchased Oct. 8th 1959 from Georges Baptiste, Brussels.
Royer-Collard (op. cit.) writes;
Complex clocks in the skeleton formula became so fantastic they must have surprised even the clockmakers. As most are not identified by their makers' name, the antiquarian horologist is often, as with a painting, left to decide whether a specific piece of workmanship should be attributed to a definite maker because it shows something of his flair or style. Frequently the written reference to a complicated clock is brief. Such a description may be see on page 335 in Baillie's Clocks and Watches, an historical biography (see lot 228). Under the reference circa 1790 Sarton, Hubert he writes "A clock was made for the Duke of Lorraine with a dial which moves once a minute through one hundred and eighty degrees about a vertical axis and then back, so as to show the time in all directions in a room". I found a copy of the booklet in the Ilbert Library at the British Horological Institute in London. (See catalogue illustration).
The 'booklet' was published (probably in miniscule numbers) in 1789 by Hubert Sarton and is an exhibition catalogue describing some of his best clocks for sale, his curious inventions; une nouvelle Machine á extraire la Houille et d'une reconstruction de la fameuse Machine de Marly. The description of the clock leaves no room for doubt that the present clock is either the one made for the Duc de Lorraine in 1773, or an identical timepiece which he made for himself la pareille se trouve encore actuellement chez l'auteur.
The clock's 'swing-head' assembly is probably unique - Sarton was obviously one of life's lateral thinkers, blessed with a clever, inventive mind that worked on a level that only natural intellects and geniuses can appreciate. His other well known skeleton clocks are further testament to his ingenuity, particularly his world time skeleton clocks that are avidly collected today.RSarton was not afraid of stepping away from mainstream horological design, his world time and astronomical skeleton clocks had a peculiar triangular formation. The present clock is totally unique, more akin to a standing figure with arms outstretched. There are no fewer than 722 parts to the movement of this monumental clock and every part and screw is marked in a unique manner and fits only into one spot to which it has been allocated - no production-line mechanics for this clock.
One can only speculate that the reason for the swinging dial was to enable to Duke to read the time from different positions within a room. Sarton's interpretation of the Duke's imagination resulted in a unique clock of great complexity and instantly recognisable features. It is brilliant and iconic example of 18th century clockmaking. A clock which has piqued the imagination of keen skeleton clock collectors for many years and who until now, have only been able to imagine what it may be like to own such a magnificent clock.