Lot 91
  • 91

Belle pendule-régulateur astronomique en bronze doré de style Louis XV, début du XXe siècle, par François Linke, d’après la pendule astronomique de Passemant, Caffieri et Dauthiau pour le roi Louis XV

Estimate
150,000 - 250,000 EUR
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Description

  • gilt bronze
  • Haut. 210 cm, larg. 82 cm, prof. 57 cm
  • Height 82 2/3 in; width 32 1/4 in; depth 22 1/2 in
la caisse ciselée de feuillages, cartouches et volutes rocaille, surmontée d'une sphère armillaire, comprenant un cadran à cartouches, un calendrier et un cadran indiquant les phases de la Lune, reposant sur des pieds cambrés ; le cadran inscrit INVENTE PAR PASSEMANT / EXECUTE PAR DAUTHIAU / LINKE ; le mouvement signé F. Linke à Paris /0 Four adjs. six/ Made in France, ainsi que Etienne Maxent 11 rue Saintonge Paris et numéroté n°20153 ; certains bronzes incisés au revers avec le numéro d'index 1459 et les initiales FL

Provenance

Probablement vente Bonhams à San Francisco, le 7 juin 2004, lot 2300

Literature

Christopher Payne, François Linke (1855-1946), the Belle Epoque of French furniture, Woodbridge, 2003

Condition

The bronze: gilding slightly stained and rubbed on the more exposed areas, with tiny scattered spots of oxidation. Very fine chasing. The painted metal celestial globe with extensive wear; the glass globe around with a crack. Please note that the celestial globe, the calendar and the moon dial are only decorative. The dial: the XI numeral with restored cracks. The clock movement looks complete but in need of cleaning and adjustment, we do not guarantee its working order. With a winder and a key. Quarter striking. Large size, imposing look, fantastic bronze work. One of the very few clocks made by Linke on the same model than the one which belonged to Louis XV, today in Versailles. Please note that this condition report was made on August 31th 2016 inside Robert de Balkany's hôtel rue de Varenne; this lot will be shipped to Sotheby's galleries before the exhibit and the sale
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Catalogue Note

Inventée par l’ingénieur Claude-Siméon Passemant, la pendule du château de Versailles fut réalisée par l’horloger Louis Dauthiau pour le mécanisme, et par les sculpteurs et bronziers Jacques et Philippe II Caffiéri pour la boîte. Elle indiquait la date, l’heure réelle, l’heure moyenne, les phases de la lune et le mouvement des planètes d’après Copernic. Mesurant plus de 2 mètres de haut, c'était une exceptionnelle œuvre rocaille couronnée d’une sphère mouvante. Après avoir été examinée et approuvée par l’Académie des sciences en août 1749, elle fut présentée à Louis XV à Choisy par le duc de Chaulnes le 7 septembre 1750. Le Roi l’acquit cette même année. En janvier 1754, l’extraordinaire pendule astronomique prit place dans le cabinet des pendules.

Selon Christopher Payne, on recense dans le journal de Linke deux exemplaires de cette pendule sous le n° d'index 1459, l'un réalisé vers 1900, l'autre entre 1910 et 1912 : pour chaque réalisation, Linke fit appel au fondeur Goujon et au doreur Picard. L'un de ces exemplaires se trouve actuellement sur le marché de l'art. Un troisième modèle, attribué à Linke, a été exposé chez Sotheby's à Hong Kong en octobre 2015.