Hôtel Lambert, Une Collection Princière, Volume II : Kunstkammer
Hôtel Lambert, Une Collection Princière, Volume II : Kunstkammer
An Italian night timepiece by Pietro Tomasso Campani, Rome, dated 1682
Auction Closed
October 12, 05:41 PM GMT
Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
An Italian night timepiece by Pietro Tomasso Campani, Rome, dated 1682
gilt and hardstone-mounted ebony and ebonised, on a later velvet-covered stand, 11½ x 9-inch dial painted with a depiction of the Immaculate Conception amidst billowing clouds, the upper section with a sector for the revolving hour disc painted with winged putti, the foliate gilt-repouseé surround inset with specimen stones, the movement with tic-tac escapement and large escape wheel, the barrel cover later cut and now leaving a partial signature Petru………682 the case with architectural cresting and a superstructure with arched top surmounted by a winged angel and flanked by putti, a further panel painted with winged putti and inset hardstones, all above female herm pilasters, pierced scrolls and hardstone panels on a moulded inverted breakfront base; the later velvet-covered plinth conforming to the base
height 92½ in.; width 31 in.; depth 12½ in.; 235 cm; 79 cm; 32 cm.
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Pendule nocturne italienne par Pietro Tomasso Campani, Rome, datée de 1682
en ébène, bois noirci, bronze doré et pierres dures montées
height 92½ in.; width 31 in.; depth 12½ in.; 235 cm; 79 cm; 32 cm.
Christie’s London, 8 November 2007, Lot 181.
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Christie's Londres, 8 novembre 2007, Lot 181.
The invention of the night timepiece is credited to Italian clockmaking brothers Pietro Tommaso, Giuseppe and Matteo Campani. Having been born in Umbria, they were working in Rome when, in 1655, they were commissioned by Pope Alexander VII to create a clock that could be seen at night but that would not disturb his sleep. The dial of the timepiece was designed to reveal the hour as a roving numeral across a curved sector divided into quarter hours and lit from behind by an oil lamp. It was Pietro Tomasso who takes the credit for the invention of a new spring-driven movement with silent escapement that runs continuously controlled by a governor. Unfortunately, whilst almost silent, it was far from satisfactory in terms of accuracy of timekeeping and the present timepiece has an early form of recoil escapement which is not silent. Nevertheless, in 1656 a silent night timepiece was delivered to Pope Alexander and he was apparently so pleased with it that he granted the Campani brothers a patent for their clocks.
The design of the cases of 17th century Italian night timepieces is taken from early 17th century home altars that were so popular at that time. The place of the devotional image in the centre of the altar is taken by the dial of the timepiece which incorporates the timekeeping dial but is also generally painted with an appropriate scene. The Campani brothers would have collaborated with other craftsmen to produce the cases for their clocks and it is known that they worked with the cabinetmaker, Giacomo Hermann and the artist Carlo Maratta. A very similar, if slightly smaller, example to the present clock is in the collection of the British Museum, London and is similarly signed and dated 1683. A spectacular example, in the form of a cabinet, and also by Campani, is in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna and dated 1663. A very similar example to the present clock and dated 1682 was offered for sale at Bonhams, London, 11th December 2019, Lot 100.