A very fine Louis XVI ormolu small cartel with case by Robert Osmond and movement by François Ageron, Paris, circa 1770
18 in. [45.7 cm] H
8 in.[20.3 cm] W
4 in. [10.2 cm] D
The Neoclassical clock case incorporates many of the design elements made popular by the engravings of Jean-Charles Delafosse (1768), and others. It is an early example of the style known today as Louis XVI, but which contemporary accounts refer to as “le goût grec” which in turn became a phrase referring to all the latest fashions.
The clock movement is boldly signed on the backplate, “Ageron à Paris”. It employs Thiout’s form of anchor escapement with thread suspended pendulum. It strikes the hours and half hours on a bell by means of a crossed out numbered count wheel. The white enamel dial is also signed and carries finely pierced and engraved gilt hands.
The bronze founder Robert Osmond (c. 1720 - 1789), set up his Paris workshop in 1746 and served as Warden of the Corporation of Master Founders in 1756 - 1757. Known for fine clock cases, he was a leading advocate for bronze makers’ proprietary rights to the models of their own design. To that end, Osmond endorsed an important formal copyright resolution passed in 1766 by the Master Founders. For this reason, many of his cases are signed, including examples of this cartel as well as other cases that vary slightly in detail, but employ many of the same elements. The vast majority of 18th century French bronzes are anonymous, so the attribution to a known maker adds greatly to this clock’s interest
François Ageron, (d. after 1783) was received as a master on 14 July 1741. Established at Place du Pont Saint-Michel (1741), Quai des Augustins (1747), Rue Saint-Louis au Palais (1752), place Dauphine (1763). His date of death may be inferred from the sale of his stock on 31 May 1784. A brilliant clockmaker, whose establishment was famous. He produced many clocks and watches, often with complicated movements. He used clock cases by P. and J. Caffieri, J.J. de Saint-Germain, J. Dumont, B. Lieutaud and the Osmonds. His work was in the possession of the Marquise de Montesquiou, Mademoiselle Laguette, the Ducs des Deux-Ponts and de Rohan, the Marquis de Dupleix, Governor of the French Indies, and M. Bonnemet.
Literature:
Augarde, Jean-Dominique. Les Ouvriers du Temps. Geneva: Antiquorum, (1996)
Eriksen, Svend. Early Neo-Classicism in France. London: Faber & Faber. (1974)
Kjellberg, Pierre: Encyclopédie de la Pendule français du Moyen Age au XX siècle. Paris: les Éditions des Amateurs (1997)
Ottomeyer, Hans and Peter Pröschel: Vergoldete Bronzen. Munich: Klinkhardt & Bierman (1986)
Verlet, Pierre. Les bronzes doré français du xviiie siècle, Paris 1987, pp323 - 324 |
