Lot 89
89
A French gilt and silvered brass automaton compendium clock in the form of the Wallace Fountain
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A French gilt and silvered brass automaton compendium clock in the form of the Wallace Fountain

CIRCA 1870

Details
A French gilt and silvered brass automaton compendium clock in the form of the Wallace Fountain
Circa 1870
Formed as a fountain with automaton glass rod simulating falling water within four silvered caryatides supporting an octagonal sided dome with dolphin and spire finial, the case with bullrush cast volutes set with a clock dial with Roman chapters and blued steel hands and going barrel movement with cylinder escapement, aneroid barometer below the base with black marble outset angles on an ebonised plinth carved with the initials BR
24¼in. (61.5cm.) high
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The Wallace Fountain was a gift from the English philanthropist Sir Richard Wallace to the City of Paris in 1872. Sir Richard gifted fifty of them (to which the City later added another thirty-six of identical design) in order that the public could have constant free drinking water in the streets of Paris. He commissined the design from the French sculptor Charles-August Lebourg. The four goddesses supporting the roof of the fountain represent Simplicity, Temperence, Charity & Goodness. A thin trickle of water flows down the centre of the fountain between the statues and there was a small drinking cup on a chain attached to the fountain. The flow was constant throughout the year except in the cold months from November to February.

More from Important Clocks and Marine Chronometers

View All
View All