A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU ARCHITECTURAL  MANTLE CLOCK
Lot 16

A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU ARCHITECTURAL MANTLE CLOCK

THE MOVEMENT BY CHARLES RAFARD, PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

Closed6 March 2014

Price Realised

GBP 27,500

More Information

How to sell

A NAPOLEON III ORMOLU ARCHITECTURAL MANTLE CLOCK
THE MOVEMENT BY CHARLES RAFARD, PARIS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY
CASE: Modelled in the form of Reims Cathedral, on a stepped ebonised base with bun feet DIAL: the pierced fret dial with enamel Roman chapters and brass hands signed 'CH. RAFARD PARIS' MOVEMENT: the twin-barrel movement with countwheel strike, stamped 'Ch. Rafard Paris' and 'L. Japy Fils', with winding key
29 in. (74 cm.) high; 20 in. (51 cm.) wide; 10 in. (25.5 cm.) deep

Christie’s, London, 29 October 1998, lot 203.

Specialist note

The present model is faithful and accurate reproduction of the cathedral at Reims, and reflects the revived interest in the medieval period during the 19th century. This model proved such a commercial success that it was produced throughout the century, with firms such as Vaugermé or Bavozet expanding their repertoire to include clocks of other great cathedrals, such as Nôtre-Dame, Rouen and Rennes. A clock of this model is presently in the Swedish Royal Collection (Un age d'or des arts decoratifs 1814-1848, Paris, October-December 1991, no.157, pp. 303-304), whilst an additional clock is at Peterhoff Palace.

Related stories

View all stories