Longcase Clock (Régulateur)
1770-1775 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Robert Robin, the maker of this clock, was one of the most celebrated clockmakers in 18th-century Paris. He was clockmaker to Louis XV and continued to produce his finely engineered movements even after the French Revolution of 1789. In Paris at that time, the different trades were tightly controlled by the guild system and Robin did not make the wooden cases of his clocks. This case is stamped ‘B. LIEUTAUD’, the mark of the cabinetmaker Balthazar Lieutaud, who worked frequently with Robin.
Several cases of this shape exist, each with slightly different decoration in marquetry and gilt bronze. Some show figures of Apollo and his chariot as the cresting decoration at the top. Others, like this one, use the figure of Father Time with his scythe. This clock would originally have been slightly higher, with a low plinth section below the base.
Several cases of this shape exist, each with slightly different decoration in marquetry and gilt bronze. Some show figures of Apollo and his chariot as the cresting decoration at the top. Others, like this one, use the figure of Father Time with his scythe. This clock would originally have been slightly higher, with a low plinth section below the base.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Tulipwood and other woods on a carcase of oak, set with a marquetry panel and with gilt-bronze mounts; the movement of steel and brass; the dial enamelled black on white |
Brief description | Longcase clock (Régulateur) of tulipwood and other woods veneered on oak, the case set with gilt-bronze mounts, including a figure of Chronos (Father Time), the dial of white enamel |
Physical description | Calendar equation regulator (régulateur), the case veneered in tulipwood and other woods on a carcase of oak, the front face of the base with a panel of lozenge marquetry, the case mounted with gilt-bronze mounts, including the figure of Time, with his scythe, as a cresting. The dial and dial plate are marked 'Robin a Paris' and the case is stamped four times with the stamp B.LIEUTAUD. The clock is missing its base, but a replacement base was made by the Museum in 2015, for display. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Gallery label | Long-case clock
About 1770–75
The clock-case is severely rectilinear in outline, and most of its decoration is geometric. This combination is characteristic of much French Neoclassical furniture of its time. Other decoration includes cast laurel leaves and bands of guilloche ornament (flower heads encircled by bands). These were copied from classical architecture. The figure of Time, however, was a type common in art of the period.
France (Paris)
Case by Balthazar Lieutaud
Movement by Robert Robin
Oak and softwood, veneered with tulipwood, purpleheart, sycamore and boxwood; glass; gilded copper alloy mounts; modern plinth
Bequeathed by John Jones
(09/12/2015) |
Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
Object history | Acquired by John Jones before 1882 |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | Robert Robin, the maker of this clock, was one of the most celebrated clockmakers in 18th-century Paris. He was clockmaker to Louis XV and continued to produce his finely engineered movements even after the French Revolution of 1789. In Paris at that time, the different trades were tightly controlled by the guild system and Robin did not make the wooden cases of his clocks. This case is stamped ‘B. LIEUTAUD’, the mark of the cabinetmaker Balthazar Lieutaud, who worked frequently with Robin. Several cases of this shape exist, each with slightly different decoration in marquetry and gilt bronze. Some show figures of Apollo and his chariot as the cresting decoration at the top. Others, like this one, use the figure of Father Time with his scythe. This clock would originally have been slightly higher, with a low plinth section below the base. |
Associated object | |
Bibliographic reference | Frederick Litchfield, Illustrated History of Furniture From the Earliest to the Present Time. 4th ed. London and New York, 1899, illustrated p. 171 |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1011:1 to 3&A -1882 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | January 6, 2005 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest