Ferdinand Berthoud Decorative Objects

The movement is contained in an unusually large (67 cm!) white marble obelisk which is surmounted by an armillary sphere finial. The front with a panel chased with nymphs supporting ...

A Magnificent Large Antique French 19th Century Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock set of exquisite craftsmanship. This spectacular clock set is comprising a pair of very large ni...

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Alabaster Portico Mantel Clock, late 19th century, the circular enamel dial, with strike on bell movement, surmounted by an urn and supported by four flute...

A beautiful classical clock made in the style of Louis XVI by Samuel Marti. Stunning ormolu (finely gilded bronze) mounted on a marble base. It is decorated with an inset laurel swag...

The clock with laurel wreath and torch finial over a clock set in a rectangular case, bronze feet. Together with a pair of two light candelabra.

This exquisite French mantel clock is a testament to 19th-century artistry and craftsmanship. Crafted from white marble and adorned with a gilded bronze sculpture, the clock features...

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Three Piece Clock Set, the clock case with cupola and columnar supports, enameled dial, the movement with mercury compensated pendulum and stri...

This wonderful 1920s Egyptian Revival clock is surmounted with an Assyrian style lamassau (human headed winged lion) and flanked by a pair of re...

This functional mantel clock, surrounded by two angels, features a solid gilt bronze frame, hand-crafted and finished. Its mechanism (eight-day movement) is German, and the hand-woun...

This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...

Ormolu bronze mantel clock flanked by a troubadour and musical instruments, signed 'Ferdinand Berthoud a Paris'. The end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century was a crucial time in which new technological advances helped to make watches more accurate and more portable. During the 1790s, the production of gilded bronze increased considerably as working conditions improved. The freedom of trade initiated by the French Revolution allowed many casters to develop large factories. The new factory environment gave them a chance to execute all stages of bronze work including drawing, casting, gilding, assembly, and trade of art objects. While the bronzers took creative liberty in creating all kinds of clocks in contrast to the noble and rigorous structure carried by the movement of neoclassicism. Under the reign of Empire, the case designs started gradually to develop away from a proportionate and strict classicism towards a baroque style and revival style. The rediscovery of medieval civilization was one of the intellectual curiosities of the beginning of the 19th century, with much input from the Ancien Régime and its institutions, rites and the medieval churches in which family ceremonies occurred. This early nineteenth-century figural mantel clock is surmounted by a medieval musician. To be more precise, it is a french troubadour. Troubadours were known for composing and performing lyric poetry for the nobility back during medieval times. The clock is featuring a chiselled bronze troubadour, dressed in medieval fashion while holding a flute, playing a tune from sheet music called "Du Troubadour" that is resting on top of the rectangular clock case. In addition to that, the clock features a gilt bronze lute or vielle resting on a small stool on the opposite side of the clock’s case. The white enamel dial features the inscription Berthoud and is underlined by a bronze entourage chiselled with palmette motif, plus encompassed by c-scrolls and wreaths. The original hands are in blued steel and encircled by Roman numerals indicating hour next to Arabic numerals indicating minutes. The small details that adorn the hexagonal plinth are reliefs, depicting two water fountains or basins on both sides with a lyre in between. The sculpted image of a lyre raised above the background features also foliage garlands tied on top with ribbons. The clock rests on seven spinning feet. The clock was made in the well-known workshop of the Berthoud’s family that was recognized for their excellent work by the King. Berthoud Clockmakers History. Ferdinand Berthoud was a horologist and author of extensive treatises on timekeeping as well as a Swiss clockmaker serving the king of France, that produced many marine clocks, including a weight-driven version that inspired the first American sea-going clock. He was born in Plancemont, Switzerland, the son of an architect and judiciary. In 1741 he began a three-year apprenticeship as a clockmaker under his brother, Jean-Henri. He made his first marine chronometer in 1754 (sent for trial in 1761) and in 1764 was appointed a member of the Royal Society, London and Horloger Mécanicien de Sa Majesté et de la Marine ayant l'inspection de la construction des Horloges Marines. In 1769, Ferdinand Berthoud sent for his nephew Pierre-Louis Berthoud (1754–1813), commonly known as Louis Berthoud, a talented young watchmaker and clockmaker, inviting him to come to Paris from Couvet, Switzerland, to pursue his apprenticeship. Louis helped Ferdinand manufacture and repair the sea clocks...

18th century Viennese dark green painted and giltwood pendule of unusual size in the form of a classical urn, the gilt-bronze dial with Roman numerals, surmounted by giltwood flowers...