French Directoire period pendulum clock 'au char'
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th C.
This late 18th-century French Directoire period pendulum clock 'au char' originated in Paris, featuring bronze sculptural work attributed to Jean-André Reiche. Fashioned from fire-gilt and patinated bronze, brass, wrought iron, and an enameled dial, the clock depicts a chariot composition carrying a classical figure and dog with a swan prow, seated above a dark patinated base decorated with gilt mounts.
The auction house reports a presumably replaced 14-day movement configured with spring suspension and hourly strike on a bell, measuring 31 cm high, 29 cm wide, and 11.5 cm deep.
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
- Materials
- Fire-gilt and patinated bronze, white enamel dial, brass, wrought iron
- Dimensions
- H 31, W 29, D 11.5 cm
- Attribution
- Bronze attributed to Jean-André Reiche
- Condition note
- The enamel restored
- Place recorded
- France
- Origin and dating
- Paris, late 18th C.
- Maker / attribution
- Jean-André Reiche (bronze attributed to)
- Movement description
- Presumably replaced 14-day movement with spring suspension and hourly chime on a bell
Design
- Visible features
- • Fire-gilt chariot sculpture featuring a figure holding a ring for an upright dog, with a forward swan figurehead. • Circular white enamel dial positioned within the chariot wheel, showing Roman numeral hours, two winding apertures, and gilt hands. • Dark patinated plinth adorned with gilt-bronze sea creature mounts and a central shell applique, resting on turned gilt feet.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The clock features a white enamel dial, which is stated to be restored. The dial displays Roman numeral hour markers and is operated by gilt hands. The internal mechanism is reported as a 14-day movement with spring suspension and an hourly strike on a bell. The source notes the movement is presumably replaced.
- Structural Composition
- The clock is supported by a dark patinated bronze base. Decorative elements include gilt-bronze mounts featuring sea creatures and a central shell applique, resting on turned gilt feet. The recorded dimensions for the object are 31 cm in height, 29 cm in width, and 11.5 cm in depth.
- Object Identity and Attribution
- This Directoire period mantle clock features a sculptural chariot composition, a genre associated with French horology of the late 18th century. The bronze sculptural elements are attributed to Jean-André Reiche. The sculpture is executed in fire-gilt and patinated bronze, depicting a chariot with a swan-form prow, carrying a classical figure accompanied by a dog.
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 notes that the movement is presumably replaced and the dial enamel is restored.
- Research required: Internal movement components and rear mechanism are not visible in the provided image.