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An Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood Longcase Clock In the Régence Style
An Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood Longcase Clock In the Régence Style
Dimensions: H: 104.5 in / 265 cm
PRICE: £55,000
An Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood Longcase Clock
In the Régence Style
Constructed from straight-grained and book-matched kingwood with extensive gilt bronze mounts in the Rococo taste, supported on a serpentine plinth base, the bombé case having floral marquetry inlay throughout and dressed with scrolling acanthus mounts, the porcelain dial having the hours delineated in Roman numerals, the minutes in Arabic numerals, above an ormolu musical trophy; the glazed lenticle surmounted by another trophy emblematic of the sciences. The twin train movement striking on two gongs. The dial signed “Lepaute, Paris.”
French, Circa 1900
Inspired by the famous longcase ‘régulateurs’ by Charles Cressent made during the 18th century, this longcase clock represents a refinement of the Régence period as it moves into a more fluid rococo style associated with the reign of Louis XV. Working during the mid-century, Cressent continuously sought to perfect his craft, and created new designs blending costly woods with skillful marquetry and exceptional bronze mounts. Although the French guild system required different workshops to execute different steps of the manufacturing process, Cressent’s ambitions pushed him to violate those regulations and he insisted on creating furniture along with its gilt bronze mounts under one roof. For this reason, his workshop was raided, bronzes were confiscated, and he was ultimately forced to sell his stock to raise funds after being prosecuted and fined substantial sums. Clocks such as this are a reminder of what is possible when gilt bronze mounts are designed as an integral part of the design, rather than as an afterthought.
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