Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Rare French Empire Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze Signed Lepaute

About the Item

An extremely rare and important French Empire mantle clock signed by the master clock making dynasty of Jean-Andre Lepaute and his brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute. The case, in the form of an antique portal, is in two sections both in patinated bronze richly decorated with applied gilded bronze mounts. The top section shows two standing vestal virgins on either side of the white enamel dial holding aloft a grape vine; below the dial is an elaborate gilded head of Mercury. On either side of the top section is a fountain spilling water into a gilded basin. On top of the clock are two winged putti, one standing, one kneeling holding a bowl for two swans to drink from. The top section rests on six toupie feet attached to the lower rectangular section of the clock. There is a gilded frieze along the front and the two sides of the base. The base sits on six bun feet. The dial has roman numerals and gilded hands and is signed Lepaute at the top. The backplate of the silk-string suspension movement is also signed Lepaute a Paris, with a production date? of ten (4 + 2), possibly referring to the Napleonic calendar started in 1793. Jean-André Lepaute (23 November 1720 – 11 April 1789), together with his younger brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute (6 February 1727 – 18 March 1802),[1] was a founder of an outstanding French clockmaker dynasty of their day, holding the brevet horlogers du Roi. His brother assumed his workshop in 1774, when Jean-André retired; he died after a long illness at Paris. Lepaute was an innovator, to whom numerous improvements in horology are due, especially his pin-wheel escapement. He constructed refinements to the clockwork in which the gears are all in the horizontal plane, making possible the revolving dials of clocks in urns or in globes characteristic of the classicizing Louis XVI style. Three editions of his Traité d'Horlogerie were published in Paris, in 1755, 1760 and 1767. A small volume, Description de plusieurs ouvrages d'horlogerie ("A Description of several works of clockmaking") appeared in 1764.
  • Creator:
    Jean-André Lepaute 1 (Clockmaker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)Depth: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
  • Style:
    Empire (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Bronze,Gilt,Patinated
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1800
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Vancouver, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU4631218156872
More From This SellerView All
  • French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
    By Claude Galle
    Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
    A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
    Category

    Antique 1810s French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figurative Clock of Cupid and Eurydice
    By Claude Galle
    Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
    A palatial scale late French Empire mantel (fireplace) clock depicting cupid and Eurydice. The rectangular patinated bronze base sits on four lions paw feet ...
    Category

    Antique 1820s French Restauration Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock Depicting the Astronomical Sciences
    Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
    A fine early 19th century French Empire gilt bronze clock representing an allegory of astronomy; featuring two classically draped maide...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting the Lydian Queen Omphale
    Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
    An early 19 century French Empire gilt bronze clock depicting the mythological Lydian Queen Omphale sitting astride on a draped drum th...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock of Seated Cupid Holding a Rose
    By Pierre-Victor Ledure, Claude Hemon
    Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
    Finest quality period French Empire clock depicting a seated winged cupid holding a rose; the case in gilt and patinated bronze. The clock show a gilt cupid sitting cross legged on t...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

  • French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock with Bust of Apollo Belvedere
    By André-Antoine Ravrio
    Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
    A period French Empire Apollo Belvedere mantle clock in gilt bronze, the rectangular plinth on a stepped base richly decorated with acanthus. The plinth itself houses the large white...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

You May Also Like
  • Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock
    Located in Kittery Point, ME
    Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Austrian Empire Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
    Located in New York, NY
    A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
    Category

    Antique 1870s French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
    Located in London, GB
    Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze, Ormolu

  • French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
    By Picnot
    Located in London, GB
    French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
    Category

    Antique 1810s French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

  • Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
    Located in London, GB
    Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century English Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze, Ormolu

  • Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock, Machine Signed L. Moinet, France
    By Louis Moinet
    Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
    Gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock, machine signed L. Moinet A Paris. France, early 19th century.
    Category

    Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

    Materials

    Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All