A LOUIS XV ORMOLU STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK

THE DIAL SIGNED NORMAND A PARIS, MID-18TH CENTURY

Details
A LOUIS XV ORMOLU STRIKING MANTEL CLOCK
THE DIAL SIGNED NORMAND A PARIS, MID-18TH CENTURY
CASE: the asymmetric pierced case cast with acanthus, scrolls and rocaille DIAL: with Roman and Arabic chapters, pierced gilt hands and signed 'NORMAND A PARIS' MOVEMENT: the twin-barrel movement with recoil anchor escapement, silk suspension, numbered count wheel strike on bell, backplate signed 'Normand Paris'
34 in. (86 cm.) high; 18½ in. (47 cm.) wide; 8 in. (20 cm.) deep
Provenance
Anonymous sale; Christie's, Monaco, 22 June 1991, lot 98.
Anonymous sale; Versailles Palais de Congrès, Paris (Mes Martin et Chausselat), 22 November 1992, lot 138.
With Galerie Jacques Perrin, Paris.
Anonymous sale; hôtel Drouot, Paris (Me M.-A. Kohn), 23 March 1998, lot 30.
Literature
P. Kjellberg, L'Encyclopédie de La Pendule Française, Paris, 1997, p. 112-3, fig. D.
D. Langeois, et al., Quelques Chefs d'Oeuvres de la Collection Djahanguir Riahi, Milan, 1999, pp. 91-3.

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Jamie Collingridge
Jamie Collingridge

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Lot Essay

Louis-François Normand became maître horloger in Paris in 1723. Between 1748 and 1758 he was registered in place Dauphine and later, between 1762 and 1772, in rue Dauphine. His production is still largely unknown and it is not clear whether he sold his works directly to clients or, following the examples of other clockmakers, he relied on collaboration with marchands-mercier. In 1751 he was elected Juror of his guild and between 1752 and 1754 he was a Supervisor - appointments which show a certain recognition within the guild.

This design of this mantel clock purely expresses the goût pittoresque or rococo taste of the time. Large acanthus leaves blossom from the base and embrace the dial in a harmonious composition. The finesse and quality of the chasing of the gilt-bronze gives depth to the overall object and enhances the fluidity of the lines.

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