L\'ART DE L\'HORLOGERIE EN FRANCE DE ...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 14, 1993

LOT 120

Segaud à Paris, circa 1793. Fine and rare white marbie and ormolu, hour and half-hour striking, eight-day going clock with decimal time and Republican calendar.

CHF 35,000 - 40,000

C. Designed as a "portique" with applied ormolu foliage decoration, the columns with lion paves, an urn with flowers at the top with enamelled medallions on both sides, painted with Revolutionary symbols, a third one below the dial, with the Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, small subsidiary decimal dial with Breguet numerals and outer decimal minute ring, Republican date chapter, symmetrically set below, the decades marked in red. Fine pierced and engraved gilt brass hands. M. Round with going- barrels, anchor escapement, "sunburst" pendulum with silk suspension. Striking on a bell with count- wheel on the back plate. Signed on the dial. In good condition. Dim. 48 x 36 cm.


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Notes

The decimal divison of time was only obligatory by lai ' from 24 November 1793 until 7 April 1795, that is, less than 18 months. Decimal clocks are even rarer than watches, and are remarkable for their fine décor. The clock offered here, which is still typical of the purest Louis XVI style combines the interest of a decimal and duo-decimal calendar dial with that of the most typical symbols of this troubled period of French history painted on the three enamelled medallions.