A Louis XVI Ormolu Mantel Clock, by Robert Robin
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1780
According to Christie's, this Louis XVI ormolu mantel clock dates to circa 1780 and is signed by Parisian maker Robert Robin. The case is described as canted rectangular with glass sides, an ovolu and beaded cornice, acanthus spandrels, and bun feet.
Its white enameled dial displays Roman hour numerals, outer Arabic five-minute indicators, pierced decorative hands, a blued pointer, and a center seconds hand with a sunburst motif. The catalog reports that both the dial and movement are signed 'Robin / A Paris', and notes that the drapery swag descending across the front is probably a later replacement.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Mantel clock
- Maker
- Robert Robin
- Dimensions
- 15 in. (38.5 cm.) high, 8 1/2 in. (22 cm.) wide, 6 1/2 in. (17 cm.) deep
- Signatures
- Robin / A Paris
- Case design
- Canted rectangular with glass sides, ovolu and beaded moldings, bun feet
- Condition note
- Drapery swag probably replaced
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Robert Robin
Design
- Visible features
- • White enameled dial featuring Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. • Signed 'Robin' above the arbor and 'A Paris' below. • Pierced gilt hands accompanied by a blued pointer and a central seconds hand terminated with a sunburst motif. • Gilt-bronze bezel framed by acanthus foliage spandrels at the top corners and drapery-style ornamentation below.
- Dial Configuration and Indication
- The white enameled dial displays Roman numerals for the hours and an outer chapter ring marked with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. The dial signature reads 'Robin' situated above the central arbor and 'A Paris' positioned below. Visual observation of the dial shows pierced gilt hands, a blued pointer, and a central seconds hand terminated with a sunburst motif, while the catalog text specifically describes 'a center seconds hand and a sunburst at the minute hand'. Two winding apertures are set into the lower portion of the enamel.
- Reported Movement and Maker Inscription
- The auction catalog reports that the movement is signed 'Robin / A Paris', matching the dial signature, and attributes the piece to Robert Robin with a stated date of circa 1780. Robin's biographical notes in the catalog essay state he became a maître clockmaker in 1767 and was appointed Horloger du Duc de Chartres in 1778. No internal movement plates, escapement specifications, or striking trains are described in the catalog text or illustrated in the single provided photograph, leaving detailed technical mechanisms unrecorded in this source.
- Case Architecture and Decorative Program
- According to the Christie's catalog description, the clock case is of canted rectangular form with glass sides, supported on bun feet. The cornice is detailed with ovolu and beaded moldings, while the chamfered corners feature stop-fluting. The overall recorded dimensions are 15 inches (38.5 cm) high, 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) wide, and 6 1/2 inches (17 cm) deep. The dial is flanked at the upper corners by acanthus spandrels and sits above an ormolu drapery swag arranged to reveal the winding holes. The auction catalog notes that this drapery swag is probably a replacement; the accompanying photograph is restricted to a close dial detail and does not show the full case, cornice, or feet.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The source reports the drapery swag is probably replaced.
- Research required: The provided photograph is a detail of the dial and does not show the full case, bun feet, or movement.