Louis XV Boulle Mantle Clock with Harvester Figurine
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.
- Movement - The technical name for the workings of a clock or watch, and does not include the dial or case.
- Boulle - Boulle work is the name given to tortoiseshell and metal inlay using brass and sometimes silver, found on furniture and smaller wooden objects. It originated in Italy but was developed by Frenchman Andre Charles Boulle (1642 - 1732) under Louis XIV.
Boulle was appointed Royal Cainet Maker to Louis XIV and designed furniture and clockcases for the monarch.
In preparation, the tortoiseshell and metal were cut together following a design, using a fine fret saw.
In the application of the Boulle, the carcase of piece of furniture was covered with the tortoiseshell which in turn was inlaid with the matched designs in metal, which in turn was elaborately engraved.
The use of Boulle work furniture continued mainly in France until the 19th century. - Pagoda Top - A shape based loosely on that of a Chinese pagoda, that is, pyramidal with sloped sides and a top cap. However there are many variations on the basic shape from a relatively flat pagoda to a tall pagoda with almost parallel concave sides to a true pagoda shape. As found on a pagoda, the pagoda top is often surmounted by a fancy finial. The pagoda top is most frequently found on the hoods of 18th century long case clocks, and on bracket clocks, and sometimes on Chinese Chippendale style furniture.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- clocks, mantle & shelf, period or origin
- clocks, material or decoration - Boulle 94
Visually similar items
A rare Louis XV ormolu mounted red lacquer mantel clock by Edme-Jean Causard (1720-1780), circa 1760-70, the clock of waisted form, the ormolu finial depicting the Triumph of love above the porcelain Roman numeral dial with sun King pendulum, eight day cou
A 19th century French boulle clock by Planchon Au Palais Royal, the opulent case with fine brass inlay and applied gilt bronze embellishments. The circular enamel dial with Roman numerals. The case with acanthus scroll feet. 77 cm high.
A French ormolu mounted, cut brass and green tortoiseshell inlaid mantel clock, circa 1880 the waisted case with 'Boulle' decoration to front and sides, surmounted by an urn finial, the cast dial with individual white enamel Roman chapters, below which the
A small Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted Boulle mantel clock, 19th century, 31 cm high