A DIRECTOIRE ORMOLU MANTEL CLOCK

THE DIAL SIGNED DEBELLE PARIS/DUBUISSON, CIRCA 1795

Details
A DIRECTOIRE ORMOLU MANTEL CLOCK
The dial signed deBelle Paris/Dubuisson, circa 1795
The circular white enamelled dial with Roman chapter ring with pierced and engraved ormolu hands inside an Arabic calendar ring with blued steel pointer, the twin barrel movement with countwheel strike and silk-suspended pendulum, set into a two-tone gilded drum case surmounted by a winged, flaming cylinder on a cloud, supported by a spread-winged eagle on cloud burst, standing on a breakfront plinth centered by a plaque cast in relief depicting the Rape of Europa, with flanking mounts of seated griffins with palmette crowns
17in. (45cm.) high, 9.5in. (25cm.) wide

Lot Essay

Jean-Franois De Belle, matre in 1781, established his workshop on the Rue Saint-Honor.

Dubuisson, emailleur from 1795, established his workshop on the Rue de la Huchette. From 1812-20, he moved his workshop to Rue de la Calandre.

Typical of time pieces produced under the Revolutionary government, this clock has an outer Arabic calender ring for a month of 30 days. It is interesting to note that De Belle served on the jury that deliberated this new time system in 1793.

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