CIRCA 1765, THE CASE BY OSMOND, THE MOVEMENT BY J. F. BOURGEOIS

Details

A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU MANTEL CLOCK
CIRCA 1765, THE CASE BY OSMOND, THE MOVEMENT BY J. F. BOURGEOIS
With circular white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic chapters, signed 'J.F. BOURGEOIS A PARIS', in an arched oak-leaf swagged case with fruit swagged finial and fluted socle, on a breakfront Vitruvian scrolled plinth, the twin barrel movement with silk suspension and countwheel strike on bell, lacking, movement signed 'J. Fcois Bourgeois A Paris', the case stamped 'OSMOND', with pendulum and winder, lacking bell
17½ in. (44.5 cm.) high; 13½ in. (34.5 cm.) wide; 6 in. (15 cm.) deep

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

This clock illustrates many of the ornaments which became fashionable with the neo-classical trend of the third quarter of the 18th century. Vitruvian scrolls, ribbon-tied oak leaf garlands, acanthus leaves and the classical urn were brought to fashion by several ornemanistes including the most celebrated of all, Jean-Charles Delafosse (1734-1789). whose ornaments were published in his Nouvelle Iconologie Historique, the first volume of which was published in 1768. The engravings depicted not only trophies in this fashionable style, but also designs of vases, furniture and cartouches, (S. Eriksen, Early Neo-Classicism in France, London, 1974, p.170).
A virtually identical clock, signed by Lepaute, was sold anonymously, Sotheby's, Monaco, 23-24 June 1985, lot 935.

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