Mantel clock 1812
Bronze and gilt bronze, marble, brass and blued steel | 96.5 x 27.3 x 37.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 30039
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A mantel clock in the form of a celestial globe which a figure of Father Time supports on his right shoulder and, in his left hand, holds a gilt scythe. Standing on a bronzed drum shaped pedestal with projecting gilt bronze cornice and base ring with four applied allegorical figures. All mounted on a square black marble plinth.
The original French movement was probably replaced in 1828 by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy. A new movement was installed, made by John George Holmden of Clerkenwell whose name is punched inside the barrel cover. Now the 8 day timepiece has a fusee movement and deadbeat escapement. Pictoral Inventory RCIN 934754, Vulliamy number 681
The gilded dial with a recessed enamel chapter ring has the 12 hours represented in Roman numerals with minutes in arabic numerals with two blued steel spade-shaped hands. The two original winding holes from the original French movement have been plugged and three extra dial foot holes suggest that the chapter ring is also a later replacement.Provenance
Supplied to the Prince Regent by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, 24 June 1812, and placed in Small Blue Velvet Room at Carlton House. Sent to Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy for repair on various occasions in 1816, 1817, 1820 and 1822 and 1824. Finally the movement was replaced on 21 July 1828 and returned by him to Windsor Castle later that year on 10th December 1828 where it has remained.
Included in the Pictorial Inventory of 1827-33 – RCIN 934754. 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.
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Creator(s)
(clockmaker (case))(clockmaker (movement))(clockmaker (movement))(nationality)(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Bronze and gilt bronze, marble, brass and blued steel
Measurements
96.5 x 27.3 x 37.0 cm (whole object)
Object type(s)
