Lot Essay
A clock of this model was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 22 June 1989, lot 35. The dial and backplate were both signed by François-Louis Godon (maître in 1787), horloger to Charles IV of Spain, who reigned 1788-1808. The body of the Godon clock was of highly decorated porcelain and it has been suggested that this was made by the Buen Retiro factory in Madrid and that the clock itself was executed for a member of the Spanish royal family. It is possible that this highly ornate design was developed for the Spanish market in the years immediately after the revolution when French demand was very low.
The Godon clock had ormolu swags of fruit linking the legs and this appears to be the most frequent difference in the mounts amongst the group. Among the other examples of this model are:
1. Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Jones Collection), with a body of decorated Sèvres porcelain (no. 1005-1882; see: O. Brackett, Catalogue of the Jones Collection, Part I, London, 1922, pl. 60, no. 259). Like the present clock, the Jones clock has simple chains around the base in place of the swagged fruit on the Godon clock.
2. Erich von Goldschmidt-Rothschild, sold Herman Paul and Paul Graupe, Berlin, 23-25 March 1931, lot 357. This had a white marble body.
3. The Princes Dolgourouky, St. Petersburg, in the 19th Century.
4. J.P. Morgan, sold Parke-Bernet, New York, 8 January 1944 (=3rd day), lot 490 (illustrated). This had a highly decorated body of the Jones type. lot 490 (illustrated).
5. Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris (no. 390; see: Catalogue, 1930, illustrated facing p. 140). This has a white porcelain body
The Godon clock had ormolu swags of fruit linking the legs and this appears to be the most frequent difference in the mounts amongst the group. Among the other examples of this model are:
1. Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Jones Collection), with a body of decorated Sèvres porcelain (no. 1005-1882; see: O. Brackett, Catalogue of the Jones Collection, Part I, London, 1922, pl. 60, no. 259). Like the present clock, the Jones clock has simple chains around the base in place of the swagged fruit on the Godon clock.
2. Erich von Goldschmidt-Rothschild, sold Herman Paul and Paul Graupe, Berlin, 23-25 March 1931, lot 357. This had a white marble body.
3. The Princes Dolgourouky, St. Petersburg, in the 19th Century.
4. J.P. Morgan, sold Parke-Bernet, New York, 8 January 1944 (=3rd day), lot 490 (illustrated). This had a highly decorated body of the Jones type. lot 490 (illustrated).
5. Musée Cognacq-Jay, Paris (no. 390; see: Catalogue, 1930, illustrated facing p. 140). This has a white porcelain body