Clocks · Mantel clock
Mantel clock by Pierre-Victor Ledure, c. 1806
- Maker / attribution
- Pierre-Victor Ledure (Maker)
- Date
- c. 1806
- Historical period
- Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Mantel clock
- Dimensions
- Höhe: 74.0 cm, Breite: 82.0 cm, Tiefe: 32.5 cm
- Holding institution
- Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe
- Accession / object no.
- R 151 (Inventarnummer)
- Credit line
- Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe
- Catalogue title (original)
- Kaminuhr mit Darstellung von Mars und Venus (German)
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Record summary
Held and catalogued by Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe (object number R 151 (Inventarnummer)), this is a mantel clock by Pierre-Victor Ledure, dated c. 1806. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Clocks collection. Recorded dimensions: Höhe: 74.0 cm, Breite: 82.0 cm, Tiefe: 32.5 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
Die große Uhr besteht aus einem rechteckigen Sockel mit Löwentatzen als Füße. An der Vorderseite des Sockels sind drei vergoldete Bronzereliefs mit antiken Liebesszenen aufgelegt. Auf dem Sockel befindet sich der kubische Uhrenkasten, auf dem die freiplastisch modellierten Figuren von Mars und Venus sitzen, die als prototypisches antikes Liebespaar gelten. Als Zeichen der Liebe ist dem Mars ein Putto beigeordnet. Das Gehäuse wurde von Pierre-Victor Ledure (nach 1783-1840), einem der führenden Bronziers des frühen 19. Jahrhunderts, gefertigt. Das Uhrwerk stammt von Hémon.Laut Inventar des Karlsruher Schlosses befand sich die Uhr 1814 im Audienzzimmer der Großherzogin Stephanie von Baden (1789-1860). Als diese nach dem Tod ihres Mannes 1819 nach Mannheim übersiedelte und im dortigen Schloss ihren Witwensitz einnahm, blieb die Uhr im Karlsruher Schloss. Sie ist in den Inventaren von 1833 und 1859 verzeichnet. Später fand die Uhr ihren Platz auf einem Kaminsims im Thronsaal des Karlsruher Schlosses (siehe Inv.-Nr. BA 2002/68)
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 An editor-reviewed English translation has not yet been published; we do not publish machine translations as authoritative text.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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