c.1900 Rare French Louis XIV Style Ormolu and Boulle Quarter-Striking Oval Dial Mantle Clock
French /
Mantle
Inv. #: F190
Maker: Henri Vion. #630.
Circa: 1900
Size: 35" high
Sold
Case
The elaborately shaped 'premiere partie' clock case and base feature ebony and tortoiseshell veneer with engraved brass inlay. It is extensively decorated with cast ormolu mounts that include heavy molded edges, multi-piece leaf scrolls for the clock feet, the four continents to the protruding corners and an urn emitting plumes of smoke to the back door. Above sits cupid drawing back an arrow while seated on a bank of clouds and the whole stands on six bold claw feet.
Dial
The extremely unusual cast ormolu oval dial has a matted center, cartouche numbers with blue Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic five minute marks, the fast/slow adjustment just below the 12, a glazed oval bezel and large elaborate steel-cut hands. The multi-piece hour hand rides along a protruding edge and changes length to retain the desired proportion between the end of the hand and the hour plaques.
Movement
The large square three-train eight-day period-style movement has baluster shaped posts, a pendulum with a steel rod and brass lenticular bob, a Brocot suspension, two hammers striking by torsion on a pair of bells mounted above, large and small countwheels for the hours and quarters and has 'Julien LeRoy' engraved across the backplate.
Sold