Louis XV Boulle Style Mantle Clock by H & F Paris
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A large Louis XV style mantle clock in the Boulle manner, 19th century, with maker's mark for H & F Paris, the waisted clock with stand having a rocaille crest to the pagoda top, an ebonised case with inlaid brass fretwork and glazed panels, the ornamented dial with Roman numerals and minute markings to enamel cartouches, and pierced and cast trims and decorations throughout; with key and pendulum, height 93 cm, width 45 cm, depth 20 cm
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- Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.
The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.
Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.
The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.
The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927. - Pagoda Top - A shape based loosely on that of a Chinese pagoda, that is, pyramidal with sloped sides and a top cap. However there are many variations on the basic shape from a relatively flat pagoda to a tall pagoda with almost parallel concave sides to a true pagoda shape. As found on a pagoda, the pagoda top is often surmounted by a fancy finial. The pagoda top is most frequently found on the hoods of 18th century long case clocks, and on bracket clocks, and sometimes on Chinese Chippendale style furniture.
- Boulle - Boulle work is the name given to tortoiseshell and metal inlay using brass and sometimes silver, found on furniture and smaller wooden objects. It originated in Italy but was developed by Frenchman Andre Charles Boulle (1642 - 1732) under Louis XIV.
Boulle was appointed Royal Cainet Maker to Louis XIV and designed furniture and clockcases for the monarch.
In preparation, the tortoiseshell and metal were cut together following a design, using a fine fret saw.
In the application of the Boulle, the carcase of piece of furniture was covered with the tortoiseshell which in turn was inlaid with the matched designs in metal, which in turn was elaborately engraved.
The use of Boulle work furniture continued mainly in France until the 19th century.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- clocks, mantle & shelf, period or origin
- clocks, material or decoration - Boulle 97
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