Clock
ca. 1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This type of large, elaborate clock was intended to make a grand statement on a drawing room mantelpiece or sideboard. The sculptural elements were a popular feature of clocks of the period.
Time
The gilt-bronze figure of a mounted North African warrior, the military trophies and the palm leaves that ornament the clock reflect the French colonial ambitions of the period. North Africa held a particular allure and writers such as Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) used the area as a setting for novels.
Manufacturing & Trade
The clock movement was made by Japy Frères, who were the largest and most commercially significant clockmakers in France in the 19th century. Although mass-produced, the clocks were of a high quality and the firm won prizes at many national and international exhibitions. The clock case may have been retailed by H.Y. Marc, who may also have made clocks as well as selling them. Japy Frères certainly supplied other clocks to H.Y. Marc, but the clock case is very coarse, which suggests that it came from a different supplier.
This type of large, elaborate clock was intended to make a grand statement on a drawing room mantelpiece or sideboard. The sculptural elements were a popular feature of clocks of the period.
Time
The gilt-bronze figure of a mounted North African warrior, the military trophies and the palm leaves that ornament the clock reflect the French colonial ambitions of the period. North Africa held a particular allure and writers such as Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) used the area as a setting for novels.
Manufacturing & Trade
The clock movement was made by Japy Frères, who were the largest and most commercially significant clockmakers in France in the 19th century. Although mass-produced, the clocks were of a high quality and the firm won prizes at many national and international exhibitions. The clock case may have been retailed by H.Y. Marc, who may also have made clocks as well as selling them. Japy Frères certainly supplied other clocks to H.Y. Marc, but the clock case is very coarse, which suggests that it came from a different supplier.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Gilt bronze and alabaster, with glass dome |
| Brief description | [*] French Clock under glass dome |
| Physical description | Clock. Gilt bronze and alabaster, with original glass dome. Movement made by the firm of Japy Frères, Beaucourt, France; the case by the retailer H.Y. Marc, Paris |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Dial inscribed: 'H.Y. Marc … Paris' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Gilt bronze had been used for grand furnishings in France for more than 150 years. In Britain it came to represent wealth and luxury. The fashion for clocks as small-scale sculpture also came from France.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs J.C. Sonford |
| Object history | Movement made by the firm of Japy Frères, Beaucourt, France; the case by the retailer H.Y. Marc, Paris |
| Summary | Object Type This type of large, elaborate clock was intended to make a grand statement on a drawing room mantelpiece or sideboard. The sculptural elements were a popular feature of clocks of the period. Time The gilt-bronze figure of a mounted North African warrior, the military trophies and the palm leaves that ornament the clock reflect the French colonial ambitions of the period. North Africa held a particular allure and writers such as Alphonse Daudet (1840-1897) used the area as a setting for novels. Manufacturing & Trade The clock movement was made by Japy Frères, who were the largest and most commercially significant clockmakers in France in the 19th century. Although mass-produced, the clocks were of a high quality and the firm won prizes at many national and international exhibitions. The clock case may have been retailed by H.Y. Marc, who may also have made clocks as well as selling them. Japy Frères certainly supplied other clocks to H.Y. Marc, but the clock case is very coarse, which suggests that it came from a different supplier. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.75 to B-1980 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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