Clocks · Mantel clock
Mantel clock by Jean-François Denière, France, 1800–1825
- Maker / attribution
- Jean-François Denière (Bronzier); François Thomas Matelin (Bronzier)
- Date
- 1800–1825
- Historical period
- Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
- Country of origin
- France
- Place
- Paris, France
- Object type
- Mantel clock
- Materials / technique
- bronze, copper
- Dimensions
- height 42 cm; width 22,5 cm; depth 11 cm
- Holding institution
- Musée du Louvre, Paris
- Accession / object no.
- OAR 375
- Credit line
- Musée du Louvre
- Catalogue title (original)
- Pendule (French)
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Record summary
Held and catalogued by Musée du Louvre, Paris (object number OAR 375), this is a mantel clock by Jean-François Denière, made in Paris, France, dated 1800–1825. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Clocks collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: bronze, copper. Recorded dimensions: height 42 cm; width 22,5 cm; depth 11 cm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Catalogue description — Musée du Louvre (French)
pendule en bronze doré représentant l'Amour sous les traits d'un jeune homme, marchant vers la droite, dont les ailes soutiennent la pendule ronde qu'il maintient à l'aide d'une draperie ; cadran émaillé blanc signé : "DENIERE ET MATELIN, Fabt de bronze à Paris" ; socle rectangulaire orné de deux cygnes en bas-relief ; quatre pieds ronds et aplatis.
Shown in the original language of the source catalogue. An editor-reviewed English translation has not yet been published; we do not publish machine translations as authoritative text.
Dating and period as catalogued (French)
Epoque / période : Premier Empire (1804-1814) (Occident->époque contemporaine) ; Restauration (1814-1830) (Occident->époque contemporaine) · · Date de création/fabrication : 1800 - 1825
Shown in the original language of the source catalogue. An editor-reviewed English translation has not yet been published; we do not publish machine translations as authoritative text.
Materials and techniques as catalogued (French)
Matériau : bronze · Technique : doré = dorure (techniques métal) · Technique : émaillé = émaillage = émail = émaux (techniques métal) · Matériau : cuivre
Shown in the original language of the source catalogue. An editor-reviewed English translation has not yet been published; we do not publish machine translations as authoritative text.
Inscriptions & marks
Signature : ; "DENIERE ET MATELIN, Fabt de bronze à Paris"
Provenance
plusieurs documents permettent de préciser l'origine française de l'OAR 375 : - L'identification de l'OAR 375 s'est effectuée en consultant l'inventaire photographique de la collection d'Hermann Goering, où la reproduction en noir et blanc de cette pendule est accompagnée de son descriptif succinct : "U 32, Höhe : 43 cm". - La pendule est répertoriée dans la liste des objets d'art récupérés en Allemagne établie par l'OBIP : « [n° d'ordre] 375 ; [n° allemand] 5039/3 ; [Provenance] 37° MUNICH ; [Epoque] Louis XVI° ; [Sujet] Amour tenant draperie, bronze doré ». - La pendule est répertoriée dans l'inventaire détaillé du trente-septième convoi en provenance de Munich : « List of French Property from Central Collecting Point Munich, 1.07.49 : Run N° 37 th ; Shipment : 247 ; French Run N° 15622 ; Munich N° 5039/B'gaden 1/3 ; 19 th c Table clock ; Presumed owner : unknown ; Acquired in France during the war ». - Liste récapitulative des restitutions à la France (propriétaires inconnus) établies par la TVK : « Französisch, frühes 19.Jh ; Tischuhr mit geflügeltem, Genius, Bronze, vergodet, 22,5 : 11,5 : 43 cm ; Während des Krieges aus Frankreich an H. Göring ». La pendule a été découverte dans la collection d'Hermann Goering. Aucune preuve d'achat, ni de spoliation n'a , à ce jour, été trouvée. Cette pendule a sans doute été envoyée à Karinhall, résidence de Goering près de Berlin, où il rassemblait ses collections. Au moment de la débâcle allemande, Goering fit envoyer ses collection
Historical context
Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
Harrison solves longitude; Mudge invents the lever; Breguet's Paris workshop defines the modern watch.
The age of the deadbeat escapement, compensated pendulums and observatory regulators. Domestic clocks spread through the middle classes: English longcase and bracket clocks, French gilt-bronze mantel clocks, Viennese Biedermeier wall clocks, Black Forest painted-shield clocks, and the first American shelf clocks.
Read the period in the timelineMore clocks from this periodEarlier: Early Modern Horology
Atlas type guide
Mantel and French pendule clocks
The mantel clock — the French pendule de cheminée — is as much decorative art as timekeeper. From the late seventeenth century Parisian clockmakers worked with cabinet-makers, bronze founders and gilders (ciseleurs-doreurs) to create cases in Boulle marquetry, gilt bronze and marble, while the movements were often supplied by specialist makers. Clocks of the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI periods, and Empire clocks with allegorical figures, set fashions copied across Europe.
The nineteenth century industrialised the type. The 'Paris movement', a standardised round movement with silk-thread or Brocot suspension and count-wheel striking, was made in huge numbers by firms such as Japy and Vincenti, and fitted into cases of every style and material.
What to look for
- Round 'Paris' movements with makers' stamps (e.g. Japy Frères, Vincenti, S. Marti) and medal marks from exhibitions.
- Suspension type: silk thread (earlier) or Brocot adjustable suspension (after c. 1840).
- Visible Brocot escapement on the dial in later clocks.
- Fire-gilt (mercury) gilding on bronzes versus later electro-gilding.
- Signed dials naming a retailer rather than the movement maker.
Dating clues
- Silk-suspension Paris movements: c. 1800–1850.
- Brocot suspension and visible escapements: after c. 1840.
- Exhibition medal stamps on movements give dates after the medal year.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Anchor (recoil) escapement
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