.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
An Angelus clock of related design but without the plinth base was sold anonymously, Christie's London, 6 December 2006, lot 16 (£4,800). An example in ivory was sold anonymously, Christie's London, 2 July 2004, lot 51 (£10,755).
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
A. Kenneth Snowman The Master Jewellers, London 1990, pp. 61-72.
Katherine Purcell, 'Catering for Every Taste', Apollo, February 1991.
The present example is unusual in having an additional plinth section, which the above examples do not have, raising the clock further. It is interesting to note that Falize also chose to sign the clock on this base, leading to the conclusion that this clock was probably a special commission; certainly the additional height provides ample space for the presentation inscription to be engraved on the front of the clock.
The Falize family jewellery business began with Alexis Falize (1811-1898). His prodigious talent for drawing precious ornaments enabled him to start the business in 1838 in Palais Royal. He was chiefly notable for reviving the cloisonné enamel technique in the Japanese taste and producing ambitious neo-renaissance pieces. His son Lucien joined him in the business, taking over upon Alexis' retirement in 1876. In 1878 at the Exposition Universelle he exhibited the first example of this clock. It was given the name Angelus and described in the Gazette des Beaux-arts as une charmante petite horloge d'ivoire, monté en or et argent, dans le style du XIIIe siècle et le beau pendant de col inspiré des jolies compositions d'Adrien Collaert. Upon Lucien's death in 1897 his sons continued the family business in collaboration as Falize Frères, with André Falize managing it and working in association with his brothers Jean and Pierre. The present clock dates from this period of the company's history. They continued to expand the business and executed important commissions including the crown jewels for King Peter I of Serbia, a crown for the Romanian Queen Marie in 1922 and a distaff for King Carol II in 1930.
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
A. Kenneth Snowman The Master Jewellers, London 1990, pp. 61-72.
Katherine Purcell, 'Catering for Every Taste', Apollo, February 1991.
The present example is unusual in having an additional plinth section, which the above examples do not have, raising the clock further. It is interesting to note that Falize also chose to sign the clock on this base, leading to the conclusion that this clock was probably a special commission; certainly the additional height provides ample space for the presentation inscription to be engraved on the front of the clock.
The Falize family jewellery business began with Alexis Falize (1811-1898). His prodigious talent for drawing precious ornaments enabled him to start the business in 1838 in Palais Royal. He was chiefly notable for reviving the cloisonné enamel technique in the Japanese taste and producing ambitious neo-renaissance pieces. His son Lucien joined him in the business, taking over upon Alexis' retirement in 1876. In 1878 at the Exposition Universelle he exhibited the first example of this clock. It was given the name Angelus and described in the Gazette des Beaux-arts as une charmante petite horloge d'ivoire, monté en or et argent, dans le style du XIIIe siècle et le beau pendant de col inspiré des jolies compositions d'Adrien Collaert. Upon Lucien's death in 1897 his sons continued the family business in collaboration as Falize Frères, with André Falize managing it and working in association with his brothers Jean and Pierre. The present clock dates from this period of the company's history. They continued to expand the business and executed important commissions including the crown jewels for King Peter I of Serbia, a crown for the Romanian Queen Marie in 1922 and a distaff for King Carol II in 1930.