Clock by Joseph-Joachim Bastien, France, ca. 1740

V&A — Summary

This was the standard form for a fashionable wall clock in France from about 1735 to 1760. The sweeping lines of the case follow the fashionable curves of the Rococo style. However, the decoration of clocks was often rather old-fashioned in comparison with that of other furnishings. In this example the tight, symmetrical scrolling pattern of the boulle marquetry – which combined brass and dark tortoiseshell and was named after André-Charles Boulle, cabinetmaker to Louis XIV – is closer to designs of the period before 1720 than to those of 1740. The dial is more up-to-date in style, with 13 separate plaques of enamel set into a gilt-brass framework.

V&A — Physical description

A clock on a separate bracket, of waisted, serpentine form. The clock case is probably of oak and the bracket is of pine. Both clock and bracket are veneered with boulle marquetry of turtleshell inlaid with engraved brass, with gilt-brass mounts, the dial set with a centre and 12 hour plaques of white enamel with black Roman numerals. The cresting of the clock is a separate section and is surmounted by a sculptural group of young woman carried aloft on an eagle.

V&A gallery label

Clock About 1740 France (Paris) Movement by Joseph-Joachim Bastien Probably oak and pine; marquetry in turtle shell and brass; gilded copper alloy mounts Given by Christina H.M. and Frances E. Holly

V&A gallery label

BRACKET CLOCK FRENCH (Paris); first third of the 18th century Decorated with boulle-work marquetry Inscribed BASTIEN A PARIS The boulle technique of marquetry using tortoiseshell and brass with other materials remained fashionable for clocks, even when it use on contemporary furniture had fallen out of fashion. M.354-1940

V&A gallery label

BRACKET CLOCK FRENCH (Paris); 1730-50 Dial inscribed; BASTIEN A PARIS Veneered with boulle marquetry of tortoiseshell and brass; on a carcase of oak; gilt-bronze mounts The boulle technique of marquetry, using tortoiseshell and brass, with other materials, had been highly fashionable in Paris in the first decade of the 18th century. By 1730 it was becoming old-fashioned, though it never entirely fell out of fashion. Its complex technique and luxurious materials continued to be valued by some clients, and boulle marquetry panels were often re-used or adapted for new furniture, as is clear on the adjacent table (1021-1882). Clockmakers in France, as in England, tended to be conservative in the styles they chose for their clock cases and so boulle marquetry continued to be used for clocks even after it had fallen out of favour for furniture. M.354-1940