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Verneaux

Small table "wedding" clock in ormolu and Vernis Martin, Louis XV-period, circa 1760; three-train movement with verge escapement and silk suspension. Quarter-strike on three silvered bells, two countwheels, a small lever on the left of the dial allows for the easy setting up of the hourly strike. Beautifully engraved signature Verneaux à Paris on the rear plate. Three-weeks autonomy.

Large enamel dial with blue Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numerals for the five minutes and gold stars for the half-hours, similar signature. Finely cut and engraved gilt hands.
Oak case decorated in the Vernis Martin fashion with painted white roses on a dark blue background. Very fine fire-gilded bronze work with flowers, shells, and various scrolls, two fish scale widows on the sides, and surmounted by the two kissing doves symbolizing love.

 

Dimensions

H. 19" (48 cm), W. 10 ¾" (27 cm), D. 6" (15 cm)

 

François VERNEAUX

(† before 1781), father of Henry-François. Made master on January 4th, 1747 by privilege of the Hôpital de la Trinité. Garde-Visiteur (1760-1762 and 1767-1769). Rue Saint-Martin (1748), rue de la Comédie-Française (1767), rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés (1768), rue de Bussy (1768), rue des Fossés-Monsieur-le-Prince (1775). He retired around 1774. Specialised in clocks, especially porcelain clocks, he also used bronze cases from Osmond. The Duchess of Bedford, then Ambassador of England, bought two gilt clocks from him around 1762 and 1763, she then placed them in London and Woburnabbey on her return in 1763.

 

Bibliography

Tardy Dictionnaire des horlogers français, Paris, 1972; Jean-Dominique Augarde Les Ouvriers du Temps, La Pendule à Paris de Louis XIV à Napoléon Ier, Genève 1996.

 

Museum

Lisbon, Musea Nacional de Arte Antigua.

Price

€ 14500.-

Pdf documents to download

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