Details
an empire ormolu mantel clock
The circular white-enamelled dial with roman chapters inscribed Armingaud L.né A PARIS, framed by a stiff-leaf bezel, within a drum case surmounted by a flower-urn flanked by pendant bunches of grapes and vine leaves, the spreading base centred by a plaque with a Bacchante and a putto, flanked by maiden's masks with grape and vine finials, above a rectangular plinth with meandering vine, on bell feet, one hand broken
49cm. high x 33cm. wide x 12cm. deep

Lot Essay

Armingaud l'ainé, who was based in the Rue Meslay, Bd. de la Porte, St. Martin between 1806 to 1813.

This festive vine-festooned clock, incorporated in a Roman altar and capped by a vase of roses sacred to Venus, is supported by a vine-enriched plinth that is wreathed by Venus's pearl-string. Vines also deck bacchantes-masks flanking the pedestal's hollowed sides, which is centred by a bas-relief of a wine-bearing youth attending a Bacchante. This clock is closely related to a design by de Verberie, inscribed 'Inventé par De Verberie et C.gnie Tout se fait dans leur Manufacture le Bronze Dorure et l'Horlogerie Rue des fossés du Temple No.47 à Paris, executed around 1810, which is in the Bibliothèque Doucet in Paris. (H.Ottomeyer/P.Pröschel, et.al, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol. I, Munich, 1986, 5.15.23)
See illustration

More from Furniture, Clocks, Sculpture and Works of Art

View All
View All