Cherubic French Bronze Cartel Clock
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.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - 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.
- Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A gilt bronze Louis IV style cartel clock, French 19th century, with blue enamel numerals. 54 cm high
Decorative Swedish gilt wood wall clock
A 19th century French boulle clock by Planchon Au Palais Royal, the opulent case with fine brass inlay and applied gilt bronze embellishments. The circular enamel dial with Roman numerals. The case with acanthus scroll feet. 77 cm high.
A carved giltwood cartel clock, Thomas Dawes, Northampton, circa 1745, the case carved with scrolls, stylized acanthus leaves and swags in asymmetric manner, surmounted by a stylized carved eagle. The silvered dial signed Thos. Dawes - Northampton with Rom