A Regency ormolu-mounted white marble mantel timepiece, first quarter 19th century

Details

A Regency ormolu-mounted white marble mantel timepiece, first quarter 19th century
The drum-shaped case surmounted by a tazza on a white marble plinth (cracked), resting on scroll supports above a plinth inset with a foliate relief mount, flanked by seated classical female figures emblematic of Learning, reading open volumes inscribed Pensae Auxilium, on a rectangular base inset with a relief cast frieze depicting cavorting amorini, on four part reeded toupie feet, the white enamel dial (minor cracks by X) with gilt-painted Roman chapters, steel moon hands (minute replaced) and sweep seconds (tip lacking), signed Semaine, the single chain fusee movement with deadbeat anchor escapement planted on the backplate; with wedge-shaped pendulum and associated key
15in. (39cm.) wide

Lot Essay

The signature 'Semaine' was an alias used by the English clockmaker Thomas Weeks (1743-1834). His celebrated Haymarket emporium was given the name 'The Royal Mechanical Museum' in 1788 and subsequently his clocks were signed 'Weeks Museum'. Weeks followed the tradition established by James Cox (d.1788) and the Swiss company Jacquet Droz for exhibiting highly ornamental automaton clocks.
The present clock is designed in the French manner. Weeks made a series of similar clocks and on occasions signed them 'Semaine' as if to emphasize their French-influenced heritage.
A similar clock was sold Christie's London The Vitale Collection of Highly Important European Clocks (Part II), 26 November 1996, lot 269.

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