A Parisian ormolu pendulum clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1820 - 30
This fire-gilt bronze pendulum clock depicts the figure of Harlequin supporting a square clock case while gesturing toward a small bird emerging from an arched opening above.
Dated by the auction house to circa 1820–1830, the timepiece features an enamel dial with blackened iron hands and an inscription reading 'à Paria'. The movement is described as possessing a 14-day duration, thread suspension, and half-hourly strike on a gong. The arched opening features a door engraved 'L´artiste du jour', and the assembly is mounted on a rectangular relief-decorated base with turned feet.
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
- Pendulum mantel clock
- Medium
- Fire-gilt bronze with enamel dial and blackened iron hands
- Subject
- Harlequin holding a clock gesturing towards the little bird
- Engraving
- L´artiste du jour
- Dimensions
- H 36, W 24.5 cm
- Place recorded
- France
- Dial inscription
- à Paria
- Movement duration and striking
- 14-day running with thread suspension and half-hourly strike to a gong
Design
- Visible features
- • Harlequin is shown wearing a black mask with a gilt costume, leaning while supporting the clock case. • A small bird figure is positioned inside an arched superstructure atop the square clock body with an open engraved hinged door. • A pendulum rod and circular bob hang beneath the elevated clock case. • Suspended cords with small cylindrical weights hang from the upper door mechanism on the right. • The rectangular plinth features chased foliate scroll ornament and rests on four turned, rounded feet.
- Condition and Attribution
- The auction house dates this piece to circa 1820–1830. Documented condition includes slight wear to the gilding on the base, a cracked dial, and restored chips around the winding holes. The piece is documented in the literature: Negretti/de Vecchi, 'Faszination Uhr', Munich 1996.
- Mechanism and Dial Observations
- The clock uses an enamel dial featuring blackened iron hands. The movement is reported to have a 14-day duration and utilizes a thread suspension system, with a half-hourly strike on a gong. The dial contains an inscription reading 'à Paria'. Internal components are not shown in the source.
- Visual Construction and Iconography
- The timepiece features a figure of Harlequin, depicted leaning to support a central square clock case. Above the case, an arched superstructure contains a small bird figure, which is visible through a hinged door engraved with the phrase 'L´artiste du jour'. The assembly rests on a rectangular plinth decorated with chased foliate scrollwork, supported by four turned feet. A pendulum rod and circular bob are suspended beneath the case, and cord-suspended cylindrical weights are associated with the upper mechanism.
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 movement and interior workings are not shown in the image.
- Research required: The dial inscription reads 'à Paria' rather than a standard maker name.
- Research required: Source notes slight wear to the base gilding, a cracked dial, and restored chips around winding holes.