THE MOVEMENT SIGNED FERDINAND BURY, NARBONNE, CIRCA 1775

Details

A LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE MANTEL CLOCK
The movement signed FERDINAND BURY, NARBONNE, CIRCA 1775
The circular enamelled dial signed FERDINAND BURY A NARBONNE and the back of the movement signed Firdinand[sic] and the bell signed 85, flanked by the figure of Urania with a pile of books, on oblong fluted plinth and breakfront marble base
16 in. (41 cm) high, 15 in. (38 cm.) wide, 8 in. (20 cm.) deep

Provenance

James B. Duke, and by descent.

Special notice

Christie's is selling all lots in this sale as agent for an organization which holds a State of New York Exempt Organization certificate. Seller explicitly reserves all trademark and trade name rights and rights of privacy and publicity in the name and image of Doris Duke. No buyer of any property in this sale will acquire any right to use the Doris Duke name or image. Seller further explicitly reserves all copyright rights in designs or other copyrightable works included in the property offered for sale. No buyer of any property in the sale will acquire the rights to reproduce, distribute copies of, or prepare derivative works of such designs or copyrightable works.

Lot Essay

There are several variations to this popular subject, Urania, the muse of astronomy, all dating from the mid-1760's through 1770's. Urania is often depicted with a putto, but here is alone with her attributes, a celestial globe and scientific instruments. For additional, close examples, some with contrasting patinated bronze figures and others entirely gilded like the present example, see E. Niehüser, French Bronze Clocks: 1700-1830, Atglen, PA, 1999, pp. 82-83.

Originally at Rough Point, Newport.

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