Clock, with Aurora and children, designed by Carrier-Belleuse, before 1867

V&A — Summary

According to the Art Inventory of objects acquired by the V&A in 1867, this clock, made of "imitation bronze", was designed by "A.Carrier" (Albert Carrier-Belleuse) and bought by the V&A from the Paris Exhibiton of 1867 "as an example of cheapness of manufacture".

V&A — Physical description

Clock, comprising female figure representing Aurora, seated on a clock with two putti, one held by her on her right shoulder, the other clinging to her drapery, above a clock mounted in black marble. To her left two additional standing putti support a globe with a clock dial hidden from view. Aurora's heavy eyelids indicate that she is waking from sleep to raise the dawn by leading the sun god Helios into the heavens. Dial: 12.4 cm diameter with recessed centre. The black-enamel chapter-ring 1.6 cm broad with an outer minute ring, with gilt strokes, every fifth stroke is bolder. The inner set has narrow Roman numerals for the hours. The recess 8.9 cm diameter, its rear plate of gilt brass engraved with leafy sprays and scrolls and signed in a rectangular horizontal cartouche with the legend 'EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE BOY FT A PARIS' with the date '1867' below the cartouche. The winding holes are surrounded by raised gilt-brass rings, inside numerals IIII and VIII. The gilt hands are of the Breguet type. Surrounding the centre dial is an applied pierced and engraved silver piece, the upper part carries the balance-cock. Movement: Brass movement plates 7.6 cm diameter separated by plain pillars. The backplate is twice stamped 'Y.M.THOMAS BTE S.G.D.G.' in an oval with the punched number 323 and 11. Also stamped in a small sunk well 'JAPY FRERES & CIE', also a crown and a fine-angled star each ray of which ends in a double point, as in a Maltese cross. Movement powered by two going barrels. Going train with cylinder escapement, small steel escape wheel, brass balance-wheel, steel balance-spring, regulator arm mounted above the clock, with index moving over a scale R to A and cub pins projecting backwards; the whole assembly mounted in the recessed portion of the dial. A small plain clock from the dial edge serves the escape wheel arbor. Striking train of locking-plate type, the outside count-wheel permitting also a single stroke at the half-hours. Bell mounted outside the back plate.

V&A — Object history

Bought at the Paris International Exhibition, 1867, for £12-0s-0d as an example of cheapness of manufacture. Designed by M.A.Carrier later known as Carrier-Belleuse