Clocks · Mantel clock
Mantel clock by Lucien François Feuchère, c. 1812
- Maker / attribution
- Lucien François Feuchère (Maker)
- Date
- c. 1812
- Historical period
- Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Mantel clock
- Dimensions
- Höhe: 69.5 cm
- Holding institution
- Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe
- Accession / object no.
- L 76 (Inventarnummer)
- Credit line
- Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe
- Catalogue title (original)
- Kaminuhr "Ritterschlag des Bayard" (German)
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Record summary
Held and catalogued by Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe (object number L 76 (Inventarnummer)), this is a mantel clock by Lucien François Feuchère, dated c. 1812. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Clocks collection. Recorded dimensions: Höhe: 69.5 cm. The record is illustrated with 1 photograph.
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 from Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe
Der Figurenschmuck dieser Kaminuhr stellt den französischen König Franz I. (1494-1547) dar, der den Feldherrn Pierre du Terrail, Seigneur de Bayard (1476-1524) zum Ritter schlägt. Pierre du Terrail kämpfte in Italien für Frankreich und wurde dabei tödlich verwundet. Sein Ehrentitel „Sans peur et sans reproche“ („Ritter ohne Furcht und Tadel“) steht in bronzenen Lettern auf dem Sockel der Uhr. Franz I. hält sein Schwert an die Schulter des modisch gekleideten Bayard, der mit der Rechten auf die Bibel schwört.Das Relief auf der Vorderseite des mit Marmor belegten Sockels zeigt wie der Feldherr zwei jungen Mädchen als Heiratsgut das Lösegeld überlässt, das ihre Mutter ihm schuldete. Die Schmalseiten des Sockels tragen je zwei verschlungene Lorbeerkränze aus vergoldeter Bronze. Das Gehäuse wurde wohl von Lucien François Feuchère gefertigt. Dieser gehörte zu den bekanntesten Bronzegießer der Empirezeit. Er arbeitete für den französischen Hof und für die kaiserliche Familie.Das Uhrengehäuse ist in dem Betpult, auf dem die Bibel liegt, untergebracht. Zifferblatt und Uhrwerk sind nicht signiert. Das Werk hat 8-Tage Gangdauer.Die Kaminuhr ist in mehreren Inventaren des Karlsruher Schlosses aufgeführt. 1814 stand sie im Thronsaal Großherzog Karls von Baden (1786-1818. Im Inventar heißt es: „1 große Pendule von Messing [sic] in Feuer vergoldt den Ritterschlag des Ritters Bayard vorstellend mit der Inschrift "sans peur et sans reproche" mit schwarzem Sockel und Glasglocke".
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.
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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