Precision
tall case clock with a 30-day movement signed by Ferdinand
Berthoud
Classic Louis XVI case signed by Balthazar Lieutaud
- Details:
Price - Inquire.
This
is a complicated, precision, tall case clock with
a 30-day movement of the highest quality. The
movement features a “Graham “ deadbeat escapement,
maintaining power,
equation of time, a year calendar, and striking
on the hours and half hours “solar” time
on a bell. The back plate signed ‘Ferdinand Berthoud
a Paris’.
The
white enamel dial has black Roman numerals and Arabic
minute numerals, with a year calendar dial through
the aperture at six o’clock, and signed ‘Ferdinand
Berthoud’. Two
finely fretted and gilded hands are for the hours
and solar time, and two blued steel hands are for
the minutes and sweep seconds. The
heavy gridiron pendulum has ‘knife edge’
suspension and is mounted on a separate bracket.
The
classic Louis XVI case by the renowned case maker,
Balthazar Lieutaud, is signed on the lower rear of
the case, ‘B.LIEUTAUD’. The heavy oak case
is veneered in rosewood and kingwood with holly wood
stringing inlay. The front door is glazed with a gilt
molded surround and the base with a raised parquetry
panel with radial veneers. The
hood with similar radial patterned veneers has a lockable
gilt opening door with a convex glass and supported
by four gilt circular patera.
The
whole clock is surmounted by a magnificent gilded
and finely cast and chased garlanded urn finial in
the manner and quality of Philippe Caffieri, although
not signed.
Circa 1760
Dimensions:
The height including finial: 7 feet 1 inch.
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Click
images below to view large detailed photographs
of this tall case clock.
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FERDINAND BERTHOUD (1727-1807) arrived in Paris
in 1745 from his native Switzerland. He became a master
clockmaker in 1754 and ‘horologer du Roi’
(clockmaker to the King) before 1773. With a reputation
for excellence and accuracy in his chronometers, he
was one of the great clockmakers of his time. Berthoud
wrote extensively on the history, theory, and practice
of horology, including ‘Essai sur l’Horlogerie’,
and is credited with many horologic innovations. His
nephew, Pierre Louis Berthoud (1754-1813) succeeded
him in business and made many watches, clocks, and
about 150 chronometers.
BALTHAZAR LIEUTAUD was the son and grandson
of cabinetmakers established in Paris. Lieutaud was
also probably the cousin of the clockmaker of the
same name; this relationship seems to be confirmed
by the specialization in the making of clock cases,
as his signature is to be found on many important
regulator clocks, all of very high quality. He was
Master of his Society in 1749 and died in 1780.
Clock
cases by Lieutaud may be found in the following museums:
Paris Arts et Metiers
Versailles Chateau of Louis XIV
London Victoria and Albert
London Wallace Collection
New York Frick Collection
