French Gilt Bronze Figural Clock on Marble Base
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.
The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.
It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture. - Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.
The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.
Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.
The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.
The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
Gille L'Aine Louis XVI gilt bronze mantel clock surmounted by a cherub playing with a dog, the enamel dial inscribed 'Gille L'Aine Paris'. Height 48 cm
Antique French rouge marble mantle clock, no key, has pendulum, approx 46 cm high, 25 cm wide, 14 cm deep
An ormolu mantle clock in the Louis XVI style, 19th century, with mark of Rodier of Paris with 1827 gold medal stamp, with an enamel dial with Roman numerals set within a decorative bezel surmounted by a cast urn with vegetal handles and flanked by scrolli
Antique French Napoleon III portico clock, highly decorated with inlay & gilt metal mounts, 55 cm high