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Lot Essay
An example of this model is visible in a photograph of Beurdeley's stand at the Chicago Exhibition in 1893 (C. Mestdagh, L'Ameublement d'art Français, Paris, p. 183, fig. 207). Another of the same size but in rouge griotte marble, and also with a movement by Berthoud, sold Sothebys, New York, 28 November 2006, lot 272 ($108,000).
Founded in around 1815 by Jean Beurdeley (1772-1853), the company's reputation was principally established by his son, Louis-Auguste-Alfred (1808-1882), who took over from his father in 1840, and grandson, Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis (1847-1919), who succeeded in 1875. Known chiefly for the refinement of its ormolu, whose mercurial gilding and hand chasing makes it difficult to distinguish from late 18th century work, and magnificent furniture copied from Louis XVI models in the Garde-meuble national, Beurdeley exhibited and won awards at all of the major International Exhibitions during the second half of the 19th century.
The company's workshops finally closed in 1895 and Beurdeley's stock was sold over a series of auctions. A number of these sales were conducted by Galerie Georges Petit of Paris during the Spring of 1895 for which two catalogues were published.
This model of clock relates closely to that which appears on a console in a pen and wash drawing dating from circa 1780 and attributed to La Rue (see H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, Vol. I, p. 251, no. 4.6.23). An unattributed Louis XVI example of the clock, with movement by the Parisian horloger Robin and formerly in the Collection Lambert Rothschild, was sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 'Collection Monsieur Akram Ojjeh', 25-26 June 1979, lot 140.
Founded in around 1815 by Jean Beurdeley (1772-1853), the company's reputation was principally established by his son, Louis-Auguste-Alfred (1808-1882), who took over from his father in 1840, and grandson, Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis (1847-1919), who succeeded in 1875. Known chiefly for the refinement of its ormolu, whose mercurial gilding and hand chasing makes it difficult to distinguish from late 18th century work, and magnificent furniture copied from Louis XVI models in the Garde-meuble national, Beurdeley exhibited and won awards at all of the major International Exhibitions during the second half of the 19th century.
The company's workshops finally closed in 1895 and Beurdeley's stock was sold over a series of auctions. A number of these sales were conducted by Galerie Georges Petit of Paris during the Spring of 1895 for which two catalogues were published.
This model of clock relates closely to that which appears on a console in a pen and wash drawing dating from circa 1780 and attributed to La Rue (see H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, Vol. I, p. 251, no. 4.6.23). An unattributed Louis XVI example of the clock, with movement by the Parisian horloger Robin and formerly in the Collection Lambert Rothschild, was sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 'Collection Monsieur Akram Ojjeh', 25-26 June 1979, lot 140.