Lepine, Horloger du Roy a Paris, No. 4268, circa 1790. Very fine white marble and ormolu hour and half hour striking clock. | Important Watches, Wristwatches and Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 12th April 1997

Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 12, 1997

LOT 265

Lepine, Horloger du Roy a Paris, No. 4268, circa 1790. Very fine white marble and ormolu hour and half hour striking clock.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. Movement in turned banded cylindrical case with engine-turned bezel, supported on a stretcher with scalloped-edge drape decorated with a chased Caduceus flanked by symmetrical scrolled tendrils on a matted ground. The stretcher is further decorated by draped swags of vine leaves with grape bunches, and is carried on the shoulders of two putti each seated on the back of a seated goat. on top of the movement a nude, reclining Bacchx tilts her head backwards to swallow the last drops of wine from her upraised goblet. The whole mounted on a white marble base with inverted stylised tulip border and engine-turned side panels. D. White enamel, typical of Lepine with mixed Roman and Arabic numerals, outer Arabic minute ring and inner red date chapters. Pierced and engraved gilt bras hands. M. Brass circular with going barrels on both the going and the striking trains, anchor escapement, pendulum with silk suspension. Striking on a bell with count wheel on the back plate. Signed on the dial and on the back plate. In very good condition. Dim. 56 x 43 x 15 cm.

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Notes

According to A. Chapiro in his book: jean Antoine Lepine Horloger (1720-1814), Editions de I'Amateur, the mixed Roman and Arabic numerals were only used by Lepine for the dials of watches numbered between 5400 and 5700. Such watches were produced during a very short period, roughly 1788 to 1790. Clocks with such dial are extremely rare and one may think they were made during the same period. Among the unusual features of these dials beside the combination of Roman and Arabic numerals, it is interesting to point out that chapter I is framed in an oval and chapter 4, as oppose to to the designed adopted by all the other makers, is marked "IV " , instead of "II11 " . Such dials are undoubtedly the most original attempt ever made to improve the aesthetic of dials. See also lots 452 and 453.