Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004

LOT 45

Génie et Prudence Breguet No. 453, Pendule Pyramidale, "Génie et Prudence", bronze figures by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, sold to Monsieur de Pourtales on October 22, 1806, for 3000 Francs. Extremely fine bronze and ormolu precision mantel regulator. One of the four precision clocks from the prestigious series of Pendules Pyramidales. Accompanied by a certificate.

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Sold: CHF 685,500

C. Portor marble base standing on four gilt bronze engine-turned bun feet. The pendulum is held above the escapement by two allegorical figures, representing Genius and Prudence.D. White enamel, attributable to Dubuisson, with Breguet numerals, the subsidiary seconds shown on a small silvered revolving chapter ring driven by the escapement. Blued steel Breguet hands.M. Brass rectangular, with cylindrical pillars and two going barrels wound separately. Highly unusual form of pivoted detent ecapement with twin escape wheels each with four ratchet teeth, one for locking, the other for the impulse on the jeweled pallet of the pendulum. Half second beating gridion pandulum with knife-edge suspension.Signed on the dial and back plate. Dim. 63 x 34 x 21 cm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

This clock was exhibited in 1923 in the Musée Galliera, Paris, for the Centenary Breguet Exhibition (1747-1823), Catalogue de l'Ex-position, p. 7,No. 1. Of all the clocks produced by Breguet, the "Pendules Pyramidales" are, along with the famous "Pendules à trois roues", the "Pendules branlantes" and the "Pendules sympa-thiques", the most representative of his genius. They are also certainly the most decorative of all his production. Among the 9 "Pendules Pyramidales", recorded in the Breguet archives, only four clocks were made with allegorical bronze figures by Pierre-Philippe Thomire: Pendules pyramidales Number Description Suppliers Date and name of the buyer Price 448 Pendule Pyramidale November 1799 to Monsieur 2400 F Hottinguer en Brumaire 449 Pendule Pyramidale Ornaments by Fontaine et March 10, 1827 to Monsieur Follope 3000 F Thomire in 1810 450 Pendule Pyramidale Bronze figures byThomire January 12, 1822 to Monsieur Erwin, 3000 F in 1806 Comte de Schoenborn 452 Pendule Pyramidale Ornaments by Fontaine 17 Nivôse An 13 (January 7, 1805) 2400 F to Monsieur Sommariva 453 Pendule Pyramidale Bronze figures and gilding by October 22, 1806 to Monsieur de 3000 F Thomire in 1806 Pourtalès 454 Pendule Pyramidale, Bronze figures (genius and November 11, 1819 to Monsieur 3000 F chapiteau carré prudence) by Thomire in 1810 Pedro Gomez de la Cortina and gilding and green patina, 1811 658 Pendule Pyramidale, Bronzes by Thomire in 1807 June 27, 1808 to the Prince de la Paix 4518,15 F chapiteau triangulaire for 3037 F 660 Pendule Pyramidale Bronzes by Thomire January 15, 1833 to Monsieur Baring 2400 F 661 Pendule Pyramidale, Furnishings by Thomire in 1816 June 30, 1817, sent to Constan- 1450 F chapiteau triangulaire tinople to Monsieur Leroy