French Ormolu Figural Mantle Clock, 19th Century
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- 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. - Ormolu - Ormolu was popular with French craftsmen in the 18th and 19th century for ornamental fittings for furniture, clocks and other decorative items. True ormolu is gilt bronze, that is bronze that has been coated with gold using a mercury amalgam. Due to the health risks associated with using mercury, this method of creating ormolu was discontinued in France in the 1830s. A substitute was developed consisting of about 75% copper and 25% zinc, however it was inferior to the bronze version. It was often lacquered to prevent it tarnishing.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A French ormolu mantel clock, circa 1820, the rectangular base inset with a romantic frieze on four acanthus bracket feet, surmounted by a winged Psyche perched on the clock, modelled in classical draping robes and holding a butterfly as an allegory of lov
A Notable French late 19th century ormolu and marble mounted mantle clock, stamped Roussel, surmounted with ormolu campana urn and cover above enamel circular dial painted with Roman numerals flanked by fluted columns and step with seated young satyr playi
F. Couturier, a Paris fine antique ormolu figural clock, the gilt drum case surmounted by a seated figure of Diana resting on bell-flower scroll supports and raised on a breakfront plinth base with raised panel depicting cupids at play, on turned feet, the
A French Empire figural mantle clock, circa 1830, modelled with a flute player finial, the whole decorated with gilded cut brass decoration, with an eight day countwell strike movement, and silk suspension,