Property from a European Private Collection
A Louis XVI ormolu and white marble mantel clock, Ferdinand Berthoud, Paris, circa 1785
Lot Closed
November 8, 03:04 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property from a European Private Collection
A Louis XVI ormolu and white marble mantel clock, Ferdinand Berthoud, Paris, circa 1785
4½-inch enamel dial signed Berthoud, A PARIS, the movement with verge escapement and silk suspension, rack striking on a bell, the cadrature mounted on the backplate, numbered 2611, the chinoiserie case surmounted by a fantastic bridge and canopies hung with bells, with a seated figure below surrounded by a fence, the beaded oval base on toupie feet
height 46cm, width 27cm, depth 16cm
Bought from Jeremy Ltd, 21st June 1988, for £20,000.
Ferdinand Berthoud (1727-1807) is regarded as one of France's greatest clockmakers. Born in the canton of Neuchâtel Switzerland he was trained by his brother Jean-Henri, a clockmaker, for five years which explains the distinctly Swiss style of the movement of this clock. Later he settled in Paris and set up his own business which became very successful. Besides producing good quality decorative clocks he was interested in precision timekeeping and his contributions in this field were of scientific importance. His skill and eminence are illustrated by the many honours that were bestowed on him. He became clockmaker to the French Royal Navy, Member of the Institute of France, Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur and Fellow of the Royal Society of London. Besides this he is known for his numerous publications on accurate timekeeping and clockmaking.
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