拍品專文
Ferdinand Berthoud, 1727-1807, was arguably France's foremost illustrious horologist. Born in Plancemont near Couvet (Le Locle) he apprenticed to his brother Jean-Henri in 1741 when he was fourteen years old. Soon afterwards he borrowed 200 livres to go to Paris and stay with his brother Jean-Jacques who was a draughtsman by trade. It is then thought he worked for a short period witht the great Julien LeRoy
He very quickly made a name for himself helped by his profuse writings of horological academic innovations that culminated in in his Essai sur L'Horlogerie published in 1765 and Traite des Horloges Marine published in 1773 (see lot347). Although better known for his watches and in particular chronometers (he is still attributed with the invention of the spring detent) Berthoud made a number of 'pendules'but very few skeleton clocks. The present clock exhibits a restrained style with minimal fuss and decoration. Typically the wheel-work is of high quality but its most striking feature is the contrast in gilding between the plates, bezels and ribbon surmount.
He very quickly made a name for himself helped by his profuse writings of horological academic innovations that culminated in in his Essai sur L'Horlogerie published in 1765 and Traite des Horloges Marine published in 1773 (see lot347). Although better known for his watches and in particular chronometers (he is still attributed with the invention of the spring detent) Berthoud made a number of 'pendules'but very few skeleton clocks. The present clock exhibits a restrained style with minimal fuss and decoration. Typically the wheel-work is of high quality but its most striking feature is the contrast in gilding between the plates, bezels and ribbon surmount.