Paris, Louis XVI period, circa 1780
After a drawing by Jean-Louis Prieur (1759−1795)
Realised by René-François Morlay
The mechanism is signed Martin à Paris
Chased, gilt and patinated bronze
Similar examples:
- René-François Morlay (bronze maker), Jean-Antoine Lépine (clockmaker), Astronomy clock, delivered on December 28, 1771 for the bedroom of the Comtesse de Provence at Versailles, Versailles, Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon (inv. GML 10898)
- René-François Morlay, Astronomy clock, circa 1765–1770, Paris, Musée des arts décoratifs (inv. 36244)
- René-François Morlay (bronze maker), Causard (clockmaker), Allegory of Clio, circa 1770, private collection, illustrated in Jean-Dominique Augarde, Les ouvriers du temps, Genève, Antiquorum, 1996, p. 293.
The circular dial enamelled in white, slightly dated later, indicates the hours in Roman numbers and the minutes in intervals of five minutes in Arabic numbers with two hands in pierced and gilt bronze. The mechanism is signed Martin à Paris on the reverse. It is enscripted in a case of chased, patined and gilt bronze. On the left, stands a feminine figure dressed in an antique gown, wearing strapped sandals, her hair pulled in a bun, her body slightly bending forward above the movement’s case, leans on long simulated parchment papers that she holds by the corner, from her left hand. She thus symbolises the Astronomy.
Between two of those papers, springs a strong scroll of flourished and foliated branches.
On the right side, a winged putto moves above a fabric which covers a world map, books, a square, a charcoal holder and a protractor, attributes evoking the knowledge of the World.
The cylindrical case of the movement bears a bezel adorned with oak leaves and tassels. It stands on various parallelepiped pedestals holded by a grooved base with big, flattened leaves.
The geometric base in projection is embellished by frameworks in reserve of two front twisting roses, of floweret friezes pastilles and lozenges, slightly in retreat (on the reverse) and strong garlands of oak leaves and tassels on the front and the sides. Finally, the clock stands on four small quadrangular, straight fluted feet.
A successful model of clock made by René-François Morlay
This clock was most likely made from a drawing by the famous ornementalist Jean-Louis Prieur, which style is characteristic of the 1770s. An identical clock was delivered in December 1771 for the room of the countess of Provence at the château de Versailles, belonging to the collection of the mobilier national15 and is today preserved in the château de Versailles. The description of this one at the moment of the delivery actually corresponds to the model even though the writer might have reversed the right and the left:
“Pour servir dans la chambre à coucher de Madame la Comtesse de Provence au château de Versailles. Une pendule faite par Lépine horloger du Roy allant 15 jours, sonnant les heures et les demi heures, le cadran d’émail entouré d’une guirlande de fleurs ayant 7 pouces de diamètre, les aiguilles dorées, portée sur un socle d’architecture orné sur les faces de guirlandes de laurier, ayant à droite [sic] une figure de femme qui représente l’Astronomie appuyée à gauche sur un rouleau et tenant de la main droite une plume et à droite un génie sur un globe et sur des livres qui regarde l’heure, le tout en bronze ciselé et doré d’or moulu, ayant 18 pouces de large sur 20 pouces de hauteur16.”
Another exemplary similar to this clock is preserved in the Musée des arts décoratifs of Paris (inv. 36244). A third example of this clock signed René-François Morlay is preserved in a private collection and is reproduced in the book of Jean-Dominique Augarde, under the title of Allegory of Clio. Morlay, Master in 1756, is located since 1766 rue des Arcisas “Ciseleur et acheveur en bronze pour ornemens d’appartemens17” in the Almanach royal du Dauphin18 and mentioned as the creditor to the clockmaker Lepaute de Bellefontaine.
Bibliography
- Archives Nationales (Marais), « Journal du Garde-Meuble de la Couronne (entrées et sorties) », Maison du roi sous l’Ancien Régime (xvie-xviiie siècles), 1769–1777 (O/1/3319)
- Jean-Dominique Augarde, Les Ouvriers du temps : la pendule à Paris de Louis XIV à Napoléon, Genève, Antiquorum, 1996, p. 293.
- Bertrand Rondot, Jean-Jacques Gautier, Le château de Versailles raconte le Mobilier national : quatre siècles de création, Versailles, château de Versailles, 2011, p.137.
- Pierre Verlet, Les bronzes dorés français du xviiie siècle, Paris, Picard, 1987, p. 425.
Measurements:
- Height: 51 cm – 20 inches
- Width: 46 cm – 18 inches
- Depth: 18 cm – 7 inches
