Fire-gilded bronze ‘Chronos’ Louis Philippe mantel clock, circa 1845
Key facts
- Country of manufacture
- France
- Production time
- around 1845
Description
Fire-gilded bronze ‘Chronos’ pendulum clock, Louis Philippe style, circa 1845, signed F. Villemsens, Paris, circa 1845 Opulently designed, two-part bronze case with lavish floral decoration in the Louis XV style; beneath the dial, Chronos (an allegory of transience) holds an hourglass and points towards the dial. The case is cast from solid bronze, which is why the clock is relatively heavy. The fire-gilding is in good condition; only the polished raised surfaces show some slight wear in places (see photographs) The case has been completely dismantled, all individual parts carefully cleaned and subsequently reassembled. The functioning movement, with a thread suspension and hook escapement, runs for about one week and strikes the half-hours and full hours on a bell; it has been fully overhauled and readjusted, and is marked ‘F. Villemsens a Paris’. The enamelled dial with Roman numerals is undamaged apart from a chip on the right-hand winding hole. Dimensions: Height: 44 cm Width: 30.5 cm Depth: 16 cm The key, pendulum and a bell are included in the offer. Bibliography: Elke Niehäuser, Die Französische Bronzeuhr, p. 184