Nicolas Brodon Religieuse Pendulum Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1700
This early Religieuse pendulum clock was crafted by Nicolas Brodon in Paris, circa 1700. The clock features a rectangular case with a molded base and top, finished in an ebonized material and decorated with Boulle-style marquetry incorporating tortoiseshell, silver, and brass.
The top is surmounted by a wooden arch with a molded edge and three gilt brass turned finials, supported by gilt brass bun feet. Access to the movement is provided by hinged front and back doors. The dial consists of a gilt brass ring with champlevé Roman numerals, inner quarter-hour divisions, and outer sixty-minute Arabic numerals, accompanied by elaborate gilt hands. Internally, a rectangular movement measuring 110 x 100 mm operates with a single going barrel for both the going and striking trains, a verge escapement, and a steel pendulum with silk suspension.
It provides hour and half-hour striking with a pull quarter-repeating function.
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 1700
- Type
- Religieuse pendulum clock
- Maker
- Nicolas Brodon
- Dimensions
- 55 cm high, 29 cm wide
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Signatures
- Signed on dial and movement
- Suspension
- Silk suspension
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Nicolas Brodon
- Movement Dimensions
- 110 x 100 mm
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt brass bun feet supporting the rectangular case. • Boulle marquetry inlay visible on the arch and case frame. • Three gilt brass finials crowning the wooden arch. • Gilt brass dial with champlevé Roman numerals.
- Case Construction and Decor
- The clock is housed in a rectangular case featuring an ebonized finish. The construction utilizes a molded base and top to define the silhouette, which is characterized by the use of Boulle-style marquetry. This decorative technique applies a combination of tortoiseshell, silver, and brass to the surface, particularly evident on the wooden arch. The upper portion of the case is finished with a molded edge and accommodates three gilt brass turned finials. The clock rests on four gilt brass bun feet. Maintenance and access to the interior components are facilitated through hinged front and back doors.
- Dial and Timekeeping Mechanics
- The dial is formed from a gilt brass ring displaying champlevé Roman numerals. Time indicators are supplemented by inner divisions for quarter-hours and an outer track featuring Arabic numerals every five minutes. The hands are described as elaborate gilt pieces. The movement, measuring 110 x 100 mm, utilizes a single going barrel to power both the going and striking trains. The escapement is a verge type, regulated by a steel pendulum with a small bob and a silk suspension system. A brass count wheel is positioned on the back plate of the movement.
- Auditory Functions and Condition
- The mechanism includes an hour and half-hour striking system that functions in conjunction with a bell mounted on the top of the case. Additionally, the clock features a pull quarter-repeating function, which utilizes a configuration of three hammers striking against three distinct bells. According to the auction house documentation, the clock is assigned a grade of AAA.
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 description recommends an overhaul for the movement.
- Research required: The exact extent of original versus replaced inlay components is not explicitly documented.