Louis XV Long Case Clock by Antoine Thiout
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This French long case clock is attributed to Antoine Thiout (1694-1761), a clockmaker who was active in Paris and served as horologist to the Duke of Orleans. The case is constructed from rosewood veneer featuring marquetry of varied exotic woods and mounted with gilded bronze applications.
The clock stands on a profile-edged base, supporting a baluster-shaped body with a single door containing a pendulum window. The upper section houses the dial and is topped by a figural putto finial. The dial includes indications for the date and a double 30-second sector for seconds, bearing the signature "Thiout L'ainé, Paris." The mechanical movement is configured to strike on the half-hour using a bell. The auction description reports that the object has undergone restoration and includes later additions.
The provenance is documented as the liquidation of a private collection.
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
- Long case clock
- Maker
- Antoine Thiout (1694-1761)
- Dating
- 18th century
- Striking
- Half-hour strike on a bell
- Condition
- Restored with later additions
- Materials
- Rosewood veneer, exotic woods, gilded bronze
- Signature
- Thiout L'ainé, Paris
- Dimensions
- Height 208 cm
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Antoine Thiout
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilded bronze putto finial at the apex of the hood • Pendulum window framed by decorative bronze and inlay • Dial signed "Thiout L'ainé, Paris" with date aperture • Movement mechanism with bell strike visible from the rear
- Maker and Provenance
- Antoine Thiout, specifically referred to as Thiout l'ainé (the Elder) to distinguish his work from his sons, was a recognized horologist of the mid-18th century. He was appointed clockmaker to the Duke of Orleans in 1751. The auction house reports that the object has undergone restoration and incorporates later additions.
- Movement and Dial Details
- The dial is protected by glazing and is designed with specific timekeeping and auxiliary indicators. It includes a display for the date and a seconds hand, the latter utilizing a double 30-second sector. The dial bears the signature "Thiout L'ainé, Paris," identifying the maker who was active as a master in Paris from 1724. The clock operates via a mechanical movement capable of striking the hour and the half-hour. The strike mechanism utilizes a bell mounted within the upper housing. Rear access to the movement confirms its current configuration and mounting within the wooden case structure.
- Case and Aesthetic Features
- The clock is housed in a rosewood-veneered case that follows the aesthetic conventions of the Louis XV period. It is designed with a baluster-shaped body resting upon a profile-edged base, incorporating marquetry work produced from a selection of exotic woods. The case features gilded bronze decorative elements, including a cast figure of a putto that serves as a finial for the hood. The central portion of the clock body is fitted with a single door, which contains an integrated window providing a view of the pendulum. This frame and the surrounding marquetry serve as the primary decorative surface for the trunk of the clock.
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 house reports the clock has been restored with later additions
- Research required: The extent of the later additions is not specified