A FRENCH ORMOLU AND PATINATED BRONZE PENDULE À CERCLES TOURNANTS

The present clock can be attributed to the Denière manufactory on the basis of a preparatory drawing for a clock by Jean-François Forty (illustrated in L. Tardy, French Clocks The World Over, Paris, 1981, vol. II, p. 86.) which was in their collection in the 19th century. From this drawing, which bears their stamp, Denière is known to have made a number of clocks of which the present lot, with its refined neoclassical design and exquisitely chased mounts, is likely an example. Another clock of slightly different proportions by an unidentified maker is illustrated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 427, fig. 6.13.17. However, the close resemblance of the present lot to Forty’s drawing reinforce its ties to the famed manufactory, whose work was of the highest order.