Object Description
This is a lovely antique French Rococo revival ormolu, (gilt bronze) mantel clock with glass dome and giltwood base by the renowned clock maker, Leroy A Paris, circa 1880 in date.
The clock features a beautifully cast ormolu Genius of Music ‘Le Genie de la Musique’ in the form of a Renaissance-style figure with a small organ and a violin resting besides the circular enamel dial with rare blue Arabic and Roman numerals, signed Leroy A Paris, raised on a shaped rectangular base decorated with cherubs.
The clock has a half quarter chime movement with silk suspension and is complete with pendulum, bell and two keys with it’s original glass dome and giltwood base.
Julien Leroy A Paris, born in 1765, was a renowned maker of antique clocks, who revolutionized the world of horology with his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Leroy’s passion for precision and dedication to his craft earned him recognition as one of the greatest clockmakers of his time. He was appointed clockmaker to the French royal court and had the honour of creating timepieces for influential figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Louis XVIII.
This incredible clock is a must have for any collector of ornamental and decorative pieces.
Condition:
The clock is in really excellent working condition.
The gilding is in really superb original condition as the ormolu has been protected by the glass dome.
The movement having been cleaned and serviced by our horologist, and the ormolu case cleaned and polished, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 66 cm x Width 46 cm x Depth 24 cm – Including Dome
Height 53 cm x Width 37 cm x Depth 18 cm – Clock
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 6 inches x Depth 9 inches – Including Dome
Height 1 foot, 9 inches x Width 1 foot, 3 inches x Depth 7 inches – Clock
Leroy A Paris
Julien Leroy A Paris, born in 1765, was a renowned maker of antique clocks, who revolutionized the world of horology with his exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Leroy’s passion for precision and dedication to his craft earned him recognition as one of the greatest clockmakers of his time. He was appointed clockmaker to the French royal court and had the honour of creating timepieces for influential figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Louis XVIII.
Leroy A Paris’s legacy lives on through his remarkable clocks, which continue to mesmerize collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Each Leroy clock tells a story of unparalleled craftsmanship, artistic ingenuity, and a dedication to excellence that remains unrivaled even in the modern era. Owning a Leroy A Paris antique clock is a testament to the timeless beauty of his creations but also a tribute to the enduring legacy of a true master of the craft.
Invest in a piece of horological history today. Add a Leroy A Paris timepiece to your collection and experience the unmatched craftsmanship that has captivated generations of admirers.
Ormolu – Gilt Bronze (from French ‘or moulu’, signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as ‘gilt bronze’.
The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.
After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..
Our reference: A4904