Lot Essay
This impressive clock and barometer appear in the Hoorn Van Vlooswyck sale described as follows:
un pendule par Julien Leroi; un Baromètre par L'Ange de Bourbon le tout dans leurs cartels de style meissonnier, en riches d'enfans ailés, de guirlandes et autres ornemens en bronze doré. Haut 43 po., larg. 11
LANGE DE BOURBON
Lange de Bourbon (d. 1772) was awarded the title of 'Machiniste-Faiseur de Baromètre du Roi' before 1757. Barometers by him in important collections include an example with similar flying putto in the Wallace Collection, London (illustrated in F.J.B. Watson, Catalogue, 1956, No. F 256, fig. 61), another in the Linsky Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (illustrated in The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1984, No. 149) and one in the Kress Collection at the Metropolitan Museum Art (illustrated in C.C. Dauterman, J. Parker and E.A. Standen, Complete Catalogue of the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Decorative Art, 1964, figs. 229-230).
JULIEN LE ROY
Julien Le Roy (1686-1759), received his maîtrise in 1713 after being apprenticed to Charles Lebon. He was honored by being the only clock maker to be accepted as a member of the prestigious Société des Arts where he was elected as president before 1723. In 1739 he was further distinguished by being named a valet de chambre du Roi and given lodgings at the Louvre. He often collaborated with important bronziers such as Jacques Caffieri (1678-1755) and his son Philippe (1714-1774).
BARON HOORN VAN VLOOSWYCK
Baron Hoorn Van Vlooswyck (1742-1809) was a cultivated Dutchman who made travelling and collecting works of art a life-long career. He eventually settled in Paris after extensive travel through Italy, where he formed friendships with such notable late-eighteenth century figures as the artist Anton Mengs, Cardinals Borgia and Albani, and the Grand Duke Léopold and where his passion for antiquities was born. He became a member of the Académie Royale des Antiquités de Cassel and was known as one of the most erudite collectors of his time. His collection of precious and rare stones was celebrated in Europe. During the nearly fifteen years that he lived in Paris, Baron Van Vloosswyck first occupied the 'grand appartement' at the hôtel de Roquelaure and later came to live at the hôtel de Vendôme where he died in 1809. His rich collection, which included antiquities and numerous pieces of Boulle furniture, was sold that same year.
MRS. HAMILTON RICE
This clock was later displayed in the entrance hall of the Fifth Avenue residence of Mrs. Hamilton Rice (formerly Mrs. George D. Widener). Mrs. Rice's house, designed by Horace Trumbauer circa 1920-25, was executed in a restrained Louis XVI manner typical of the taste for recreating French interiors among American collectors during the first quarter of this century. Several of the rooms originated from various Parisian hôtels and Joseph Duveen was responsible for the interior decoration and furnishing of the residence.
un pendule par Julien Leroi; un Baromètre par L'Ange de Bourbon le tout dans leurs cartels de style meissonnier, en riches d'enfans ailés, de guirlandes et autres ornemens en bronze doré. Haut 43 po., larg. 11
LANGE DE BOURBON
Lange de Bourbon (d. 1772) was awarded the title of 'Machiniste-Faiseur de Baromètre du Roi' before 1757. Barometers by him in important collections include an example with similar flying putto in the Wallace Collection, London (illustrated in F.J.B. Watson, Catalogue, 1956, No. F 256, fig. 61), another in the Linsky Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (illustrated in The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1984, No. 149) and one in the Kress Collection at the Metropolitan Museum Art (illustrated in C.C. Dauterman, J. Parker and E.A. Standen, Complete Catalogue of the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Decorative Art, 1964, figs. 229-230).
JULIEN LE ROY
Julien Le Roy (1686-1759), received his maîtrise in 1713 after being apprenticed to Charles Lebon. He was honored by being the only clock maker to be accepted as a member of the prestigious Société des Arts where he was elected as president before 1723. In 1739 he was further distinguished by being named a valet de chambre du Roi and given lodgings at the Louvre. He often collaborated with important bronziers such as Jacques Caffieri (1678-1755) and his son Philippe (1714-1774).
BARON HOORN VAN VLOOSWYCK
Baron Hoorn Van Vlooswyck (1742-1809) was a cultivated Dutchman who made travelling and collecting works of art a life-long career. He eventually settled in Paris after extensive travel through Italy, where he formed friendships with such notable late-eighteenth century figures as the artist Anton Mengs, Cardinals Borgia and Albani, and the Grand Duke Léopold and where his passion for antiquities was born. He became a member of the Académie Royale des Antiquités de Cassel and was known as one of the most erudite collectors of his time. His collection of precious and rare stones was celebrated in Europe. During the nearly fifteen years that he lived in Paris, Baron Van Vloosswyck first occupied the 'grand appartement' at the hôtel de Roquelaure and later came to live at the hôtel de Vendôme where he died in 1809. His rich collection, which included antiquities and numerous pieces of Boulle furniture, was sold that same year.
MRS. HAMILTON RICE
This clock was later displayed in the entrance hall of the Fifth Avenue residence of Mrs. Hamilton Rice (formerly Mrs. George D. Widener). Mrs. Rice's house, designed by Horace Trumbauer circa 1920-25, was executed in a restrained Louis XVI manner typical of the taste for recreating French interiors among American collectors during the first quarter of this century. Several of the rooms originated from various Parisian hôtels and Joseph Duveen was responsible for the interior decoration and furnishing of the residence.