les pendules "franglaises" |
This clock is one of a number of spring clocks whose English movements reside in French Boulle marquetry cases. All seem to have been made during a short period of time, in the early Georgian / Regènce period, around 1725. Most of the movements are signed by London makers of Huguenot descent, notably Simon Decharmes, Isaac Duhamel, and Claudius Duchesne. Several important clocks by Thomas Tompion reside in French style cases.
In addition to these, there is a similarly cased repeating bracket clock signed “Robert Hodgkin”, identified as an English maker resident in Paris. However, there is no record of maker by the name “Bunot” in Paris, just as there is there no “Hodgkin” in London
Seemingly anomalous, these hybrid clocks actually do reflect the state of the French clock trade in the early decades of the 18th century. Faced with antiquated and restrictive guild practices that often excluded capable clockmakers, the Paris trade declined after 1700. An active colony of foreign workers came to France to ply their trade in Paris outside the guild system. By the end of the Regènce, the Paris clock trade was truly multinational. Concurrently, London clock making rose in esteem. Among clocks by Paris makers of the first rank, English influence is unmistakable. Indeed there are well documented clocks by Julien LeRoy, Stollenwerk, Enderlin, Clouzier and others that employ the brass dial, silvered chapter rings and movement design derived from English work.
Thus, for a brief time, English clocks were being exported and cased for the French market. Quite probably, the dispersal and subsequent commercial success of the Huguenots created a convenient trading network. For example, the prolific Duchesne family was established simultaneously in the major clock making centers of London, Paris, Amsterdam and Geneva. It is highly likely that spurious names “Bunot” or “Hodgkin” were placed on the clocks to conceal their origins, a practice common on Continental watches and clocks of the same period.
The state of French clock making ultimately provoked a reaction in the Paris trade. Prominent makers, led by Julien LeRoy founded the Societé des Arts to promote technological improvements. As a result of these reforms, French workmanship improved and began to regain its stature during the reign of Louis xv. By mid century, French clocks had regained their prestige.
The comprehensive study of 18th century French clock making by Jean-Dominique Augard, (Les Ouvriers du Temps, Geneva: Antiquorum, 1996) and Richard Barder’s monograph on English spring clocks (The Georgian Bracket Clock 1714 - 1830, Woodbridge: The Antique Collector’s Club, 1993) provide the context to appreciate the importance of these clocks. |
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