A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED EBONY BAROMETER
A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED EBONY BAROMETER
A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED EBONY BAROMETER
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A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED EBONY BAROMETER
5 More
A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED EBONY BAROMETER

LATE 18TH CENTURY

Details
A LOUIS XVI ORMOLU-MOUNTED EBONY BAROMETER
LATE 18TH CENTURY
The upper steel scale with enamel indicators for PLUVIEUX, CHANGEANT and BEAUTEMPS, with a central mask and foliate mounts, above a reclining figure of Father Time, the rectangular body flanked by two foliate volutes, enclosing a thermometer, with stepped foliate base and berried boss
46 in. (117 cm.) high; 11 ½ in. (29 cm.) wide; 3 ½ in. (9 cm.) deep
Provenance
In the collection of the parents of the present owner, since the first half of the 20th century, and by descent.

Brought to you by

Amelia Walker
Amelia Walker Director, Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections

Lot Essay


Six models of barometer can confidently be attributed to André-Charles Boulle, based on comparison with his known clock models (J.N. Ronfort, 'André-Charles Boulle: die Bronzearbeiten und seine Werkstatt im Louvre', Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. II, p. 509). This particular model, known as a barometre a Gaine, is inspired by the work of Jean Bérain (ibid, fig. 1.5.1.). Ronfort knew of only two examples of this model - albeit without the figure of Old Father Time seated beneath the dial - one in the Jones Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (acc. no. 1120-1882; ibid, vol. I, p. 49, fig. 1.5.4.) and another sold anonymously in Paris, Palais Galliera, 12 June 1973, lot 51; a further Louis XVI example of the same model without Father Time was formerly in the Wildenstein Collection from 1929 until sold Christie's, London, 16 December 2005, lot 223 (£38,400). The figure of Chronos or Father Time seated beneath the dial can also be found on clocks attributed to Boulle.

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