Vip access
Favourites
A Late 18th Century Ormolu Cartel Clock Signed Baltazar à Paris
A Late 18th Century Ormolu Cartel Clock Signed Baltazar à Paris
Dimensions: H: 33 in / 83 cm | W: 16.5 in / 42 cm
PRICE: £15,000
A Late 18th Century Ormolu Cartel Clock
Signed Baltazar à Paris
A fine eighteenth century wall clock, housed in a gilt bronze case of splendid architectural proportions, the circular white enamel dial with a chapter ring and pierced ormolu hands, the hours displayed in Roman numerals with the outer ring denoting the minutes in Arabic numerals, the clock case surmounted by a twin-handled vase flanked by flaming braziers, the sides with green fabric and brass-cut leaves, the fluted canted corners having scrolled acanthus ornament with rams heads holding draped laurels, a central glazed panel revealing the pendulum bob with a sunburst Apollo, flanked by cascading oak leaves and overlapping piastres pilasters. The dial signed "Ch. Baltazar / à Paris."
French, circa 1780
The name Baltazar on the dial refers to Henri-Charles Balthazar, one of seven sons of Jean-Baptiste Balthazar of which at least six became clock- or watchmakers. He became master clockmaker in 1717 and is recorded working at several addresses in Paris up until 1783. His son Louis-Charles also became master clockmaker like his father, uncles and grandfather.
The case design for this clock represents the taste for Classical Antiquity during the second half of the eighteenth century, when the new & fashionable Neoclassicism was being introduced in the decorative arts. The use of fluting, laurel leaves and braziers all hint towards this new decorative language, moving away from earlier rococo and baroque styles. A similar clock signed Antoine Cronier can be seen at Harewood House.
You may also like
A French Ormolu and Marble Mantle Clock by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co
A Fine Quarter Chiming Bracket Clock By John Bennett of Cheapside, London
An Ormolu Cased Cartel Clock By Vincenti & Cie
An Extraordinary Rustic Tripod Table Clock by Thomas Cole
A Fine Carriage Clock
A Splendid 10-Day Duration Tripod Table Clock By Thomas Cole
Recently viewed
