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Lot Essay
This clock is closely related to a circa 1760 sketch by ébéniste Pierre-Antoine Foullet now in the Bibliothèque Doucet, Paris. Describing the model as a Piece de Bureau costing 341 livres, this sketch is one of the earliest documented neo-classical designs. A clock of this model was supplied in about 1765 for the chambre du lit of the duc de Choiseul's hôtel, where it is depicted on the cover of the Choiseul golden box, painted by Louis Nicolas van Blarenberghe, circa 1770. A similar model with fluted base is signed by ciseleur-doreur Jean-Joseph de Saint Germain and dated 1769.
The clock was made by the firm established by eminent clockmaker Denis Masson (d. 1784), maîtré in 1746.
Other related examples include that acquired by the banker Robert Child for Osterley Park, Middlesex and those in the collections of the Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon and the Bouvier Collection at the Musée Carnavalet (Country Life, 11 December 1926, p. 938, fig. 1; H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol. I, Munich, 1986, p. 162, figs. 3.3.6 and 3.3.7; Catalogue, no. 90). For additional related examples, see P. Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la Pendule Française, Paris, 1997, pp. 5, 253 (fig. E); P. Heuer & K. Maurice, Europaeische Pendeluhren-Dekorative Instrumente der Zeitmessung, Munich, 1988, p. 56, fig. 86; J.-D. Augarde, Les Ouvriers du Temps, Geneva, 1996, p. 305, fig. 230; E. Niehüser, French Bronze Clocks, 1700-1830, Atglen, 1999, p. 216, no. 248; Tardy, French Clocks-The World Over, Vol. II, Paris, 1981, p. 25.
Comparable clocks were sold at Christie's London by the Marquess of Cholmondeley K.C.V.O., M.C., D.L.T., 12 April 1984, lot 36 (£3,780); anonymously, 8 December 1994, lot 505 (£7,475); anonymously, 5 July 2001, lot 161 (£14,100); by the Order of the Executors of Her Grace, Anne, Duchess of Westminster and members of the Grosvenor Family, Christie's House Sale, Woburn, 21 September 2004, lot 1105 (£7,767); anonymously, 9 December 2004, lot 58 (£14,340);The Wildenstein Collection, 14 December 2005, lot 138 (£10,200).
Particularly known for works incorporating Meissen porcelain, Denis Masson supplied clocks to important figures such as Madame Infanta at Parma, Prince and Princess de Condé, the duc d'Havré and duchesses Mazarin and de Villeroy. From 1778, his shop was located on Rue Sainte-Avoye and upon his death in 1784, he was succeeded by his son, Charles-François, maître in 1784 (J.-D. Augarde, Les Ouvriers du Temps, Geneva, 1996, pp. 373-374; Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, Paris, p. 446).
The clock was made by the firm established by eminent clockmaker Denis Masson (d. 1784), maîtré in 1746.
Other related examples include that acquired by the banker Robert Child for Osterley Park, Middlesex and those in the collections of the Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon and the Bouvier Collection at the Musée Carnavalet (Country Life, 11 December 1926, p. 938, fig. 1; H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol. I, Munich, 1986, p. 162, figs. 3.3.6 and 3.3.7; Catalogue, no. 90). For additional related examples, see P. Kjellberg, Encyclopédie de la Pendule Française, Paris, 1997, pp. 5, 253 (fig. E); P. Heuer & K. Maurice, Europaeische Pendeluhren-Dekorative Instrumente der Zeitmessung, Munich, 1988, p. 56, fig. 86; J.-D. Augarde, Les Ouvriers du Temps, Geneva, 1996, p. 305, fig. 230; E. Niehüser, French Bronze Clocks, 1700-1830, Atglen, 1999, p. 216, no. 248; Tardy, French Clocks-The World Over, Vol. II, Paris, 1981, p. 25.
Comparable clocks were sold at Christie's London by the Marquess of Cholmondeley K.C.V.O., M.C., D.L.T., 12 April 1984, lot 36 (£3,780); anonymously, 8 December 1994, lot 505 (£7,475); anonymously, 5 July 2001, lot 161 (£14,100); by the Order of the Executors of Her Grace, Anne, Duchess of Westminster and members of the Grosvenor Family, Christie's House Sale, Woburn, 21 September 2004, lot 1105 (£7,767); anonymously, 9 December 2004, lot 58 (£14,340);The Wildenstein Collection, 14 December 2005, lot 138 (£10,200).
Particularly known for works incorporating Meissen porcelain, Denis Masson supplied clocks to important figures such as Madame Infanta at Parma, Prince and Princess de Condé, the duc d'Havré and duchesses Mazarin and de Villeroy. From 1778, his shop was located on Rue Sainte-Avoye and upon his death in 1784, he was succeeded by his son, Charles-François, maître in 1784 (J.-D. Augarde, Les Ouvriers du Temps, Geneva, 1996, pp. 373-374; Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, Paris, p. 446).