Louis XV Style Figural Ormolu Clock with Japy Freres Movement
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.
- Spelter - Spelter was the name given to an alloy of zinc and brass or copper used in the 19th century for statuary and lighting. It is a brittle bluish-white metal. It was used as a cheap replacement for bronze, but being brittle easily breaks and can't be repaired. When finished it can often be mistaken for bronze, but if discreet a scratch on the base displays shows a greyish colour, the metal is spelter, if a golden colour the metal is most likely bronze.
- 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.
- Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A fine Louis XV style ormolu mantle clock, 19th century, with maker's mark for Japy Freres, key and pendulum, a waisted clock upon an integral shaped base, cast and pierced in the rocaille manner with a profusion of flowers, trophies, scrolling leafy forms
An ormolu cased clock, French, 19th century signed Martin Baskett Paris 50 cm high
A French figural ormolu clock with a Sevres-style plaque, 19th century, with maker's mark for Japy Freres, the drum head clock with an enamel dial, Roman numerals and flanked by a well cast seated explorer in fine naval dress accompanied by his silvered gl
A decorative 19th century French mantel clock the works set in a stylised floral ormolu mount with rococo flourishes and decorated with porcelain flowers and a courting couple, possibly Samson. White enamel face marked Gilles Laine. Escapement movement, wi