Late 18th Century French Lyre Form Mystery Clock with Brilliant Ring Pendulum
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1785
Attributed by the auctioneer to France circa 1785, this lyre form mystery mantel clock is built on an elliptical white marble base festooned with fruit-bearing garlands and an olive branch frieze.
The gilt-bronze lyre case is accented with acanthus leaves, beaded borders, and cobalt blue enamel panels, surmounted by a radiant Medusa sunburst cresting flanked by outward-facing eagle heads holding floral garlands. The white enamel dial features Arabic numerals, a scalloped cobalt border, five-minute marks, and a red concentric date track. A bimetallic gridiron pendulum suspended on a knife edge terminates in a brilliant paste ring bob oscillating around the dial.
The movement is reported to feature a pinwheel escapement and grand sonnerie striking.
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
- Date
- circa 1785
- Type
- Lyre mantel clock
- Origin
- France
- Pendulum
- Bimetallic gridiron with brilliant ring bob
- Dimensions
- 27in x 10.5in x 5.25in
- Escapement
- Pin wheel escapement
- Provenance
- Collection of Victor Kochaver
- Place recorded
- France
- Striking Mechanism
- Grand sonnerie striking on bells
Design
- Visible features
- • Surmounted by a sunburst cresting with a Medusa mask and flanked by addorsed eagle heads. • Paste brilliant ring pendulum bob encircles the scalloped white enamel dial. • Elliptical white marble plinth ornamented with gilt-bronze draped swags and an olive branch frieze. • Cobalt blue enamel panels line the upper section of the bronze lyre uprights.
- Movement and Functionality
- The timepiece utilizes a two-train, two-to-four-week movement featuring a pinwheel escapement and a grand sonnerie striking mechanism on bells. The movement is reported as dirty and in need of service. The strike train is currently noted as not functioning automatically as the hands advance; however, the movement will strike if the hook is manually lifted from the rack. The escapement is functional but requires adjustment.
- Dial and Pendulum Configuration
- The white enamel dial features Arabic numerals, a scalloped cobalt blue border, five-minute markers, and a red concentric date ring. The assembly includes fancy gilt hands, a blued steel date pointer, and a sweep seconds hand. The timekeeping is regulated by a bimetallic gridiron pendulum suspended on a knife edge, terminating in a brilliant ring bob that surrounds the dial. Condition issues noted for the dial include losses to the gilt ornament and minor losses to the enamel at the center. The hour, minute, and seconds hands are reported as replaced.
- Case Construction and Ornamentation
- The clock is constructed as a lyre-form mantel piece mounted upon an elliptical white marble base. The base features an olive branch frieze and is adorned with fruit-bearing garlands and pendants. The bronze lyre frame incorporates acanthus leaf detailing at the base and bead trim, while the upper section includes cobalt blue enamel panels. The cresting consists of a Medusa mask flanked by addorsed eagle heads, which hold a fruit and floral garland. The condition report notes scattered verdigris, gilding loss, loose mounts with minor bends, and missing mounts on the back of the base. Additionally, the horizontal enamel panel at the top has minor loss, and the garland at the top exhibits a repaired break at the right.
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 auction condition report states that the hour, minute, and seconds hands are replaced.
- Research required: The report notes scattered verdigris, gilding loss, loose mounts, two missing back base mounts, a repaired top garland, and enamel loss.
- Research required: The movement is noted as dirty and needing adjustment/service, with the strike train not functioning automatically as hands advance.