EMPIRE MANTEL CLOCK Lesieur à Paris Ca. 1810 France

M&R82

FRENCH EMPIRE MANTEL CLOCK
Signed: Lesieur à Paris
Circa 1810
France

Movement
The spring-driven, eight-day movement is constructed between circular plates and has anchor escapement with short pendulum. It has hour and half-hour striking on a bell, regulated by a count wheel on the backplate. The maker has signed the movement on the backplate LESIEUR.

Dial
The white enamel ring dial is surrounded by an engine-turned bezel and has a Roman chapter ring with five-minute and minute divisions. The maker has signed the dial in the engine-turned centre on a burnished oval: Lesieur à Paris. The winding holes are positioned in the centre on the level of the IIII and VIII. Above the XII is a regulation arbor, which can be operated by a watch key. The time is indicated by a fine pair of blued-steel Breguet hands.

Case
The firegilt cast brass case has embellished mouldings at the top and bottom. On the corners are flame pillars, whilst the panels are decorated with grape vine swags, garlands with bows, and elaborate rose ornaments at the bottom. The base incorporates a red marble block, the whole resting on shaped claw feet.

Duration 1 week

Height 22.5 cm.
Width 13 cm.
Depth 12.5 cm.

Literature
Tardy, Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, Paris, 1971, p. 411.

The maker
Lesieur was a renowned Parisian maker of mantel clocks. He was recorded as being active in the Vieille rue du Temple in 1806.