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Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)

Mantel clock 1800-10

Ormolu, lapis lazuli, enamel | 91.4 x 77.5 x 34.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 30015

Crimson Drawing Room, Windsor Castle

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  • A mantel clock of pedestal shape with a rounded top and stepped base on which is incribed 'Artium Genio' - the Genius of Arts. On the front of the clock pedestal is a low relief illustration of a winged female figure holding a tablet and stylus. Military trophies and a Roman standard are piled at her feet. The standard is hung with victors' wreaths and marked SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus). The figure holding a wreath and a lapis shield with a figure of fame leaning on the tombstone shaped clock pedestal represents Apollo; surrounding him are emblems of painting, sculpture and music. Along the front of the rectangular base of the clock are applied arabesques and rosettes with, at the centre, The Prince of Wales' feathers; supported by gilt bronze paw feet.

    Vulliamy number 801. Described in the Clock Book as an 'Spring clock fitted into a large Ormolu case. Throne Room Carlton Palace ... delivered to The King Jul 1 1822.' The bill for the replacement and repair amounted to £19 5s. 6d. The eight day rack striking mechanism now has a fusee movement and ½ dead beat escapement. The matt silvered dial has the 12 hours represented in Roman numerals with blued steel moon shaped hands.
    Provenance

    The clock was purchased in 1813 by George IV when Regent, from Thomire’s London agent Auguste Delcambre for £735. The original French movement (the maker is not known) was replaced by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy in 1822. In July 1813 the clock was displayed in the Throne Room, Carlton House and moved to Windsor Castle in 1828.

    Included in the Pictorial Inventory of 1827-33 – RCIN 934923. The inventory was originally created as a record of the clocks, vases, candelabra and other miscellaneous items from Carlton House, as well as selected items from the stores at Buckingham House, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Hampton Court and Kensington Palace for consideration in the refurbishment of Windsor Castle.

    Pierre-Philippe Thomire was the outstanding Parisian bronzeur and gilder of the early nineteenth century. He supplied finely chased mounts to leading Parisien ébénistes for furniture, clocks and the Sèvres porcelain factory. He was much patronised by Napoleon who made him Ciseleur de l'Empereur.  His work represents some of the finest examples of Empire style.

    In 1804 he acquired business of the marchand-mercier, Martin-Eloi Lignereux. The company employed a large workforce in a workshop at rue Boucherat and a showroom at rue Taitbout, from where Thomire retailed a large range of decorative objects inspired by antiquity including candelabra, extravagant centrepieces, clock cases and monumental Greek and Roman style urns and vases.

    Thomire collaborated with three partners, renaming the business for a time Thomire, Duterme et Cie. The business suffered as a result of France's continuing European hostilities and to avoid bankruptcy the firm was granted dispensation to trade with the Prince Regent . Soon after 1815 the partnership with Duterme was dissolved and, under the old style, Thomire et Cie thrived once more under the restored Bourbons.

    Thomire retired in 1823 and his two sons-in-law, Louis-Auguste-Cesar Carbonelle and André-Antoine Beauvisage, continued the business until 1852. Thomire continued to work as a sculptor and exhibited regularly at the Salon until 1834.

     

  • Medium and techniques

    Ormolu, lapis lazuli, enamel

    Measurements

    91.4 x 77.5 x 34.0 cm (whole object)

  • Alternative title(s)

    Clock with figure of Fame


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