an empire ormolu striking urn clock and garniture

NIVAL A CLERMONT. CIRCA 1810

Details

an empire ormolu striking urn clock and garniture
nival a clermont. circa 1810
The tapering ovoid body with mounts of swans flanking a wreath and trailing scrolls to the top and axe heads with leaves below, with scroll handles to the sides cast with bellflowers against a matted ground and terminating in Roman soldier heads, the slightly flared neck with mount of two cherubs beneath a palm tree, below a cover pierced with anthemions and with acorn finial, on spreading socle with cut corner square base and plinth with sword and palm frond mount to the front, on bun feet, the white enamel Roman chapter ring (hairline crack near VI) with engine-turned gilt centre signed NIVAL A CLERMONT FER.T, steel moon hands, the twin barrel movement with strike on later bell (adapted); and the pair of ornamental side urns en suite, with winged caryatid handles and on square section stepped plinths with laurel wreath mounts, possibly associated
The clock -- 17¼in. (44cm.) high
The side urns -- 15in. (38cm.) high (3)

Further details

See Colour Illustration (Plate 1)

Lot Essay

This model is illustrated in Tardy Les Plus Belles Pendules Francaises, Paris 1994, p.283. The present version differs slightly with a mount to the centre of the dial. Tardy notes that the clock cost 250 francs when originally made.

More from Clocks & Barometers

View All