By Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in Sofia, BG
Empire clock, circa 1810.
Pendulum attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), the enamelled dial with Roman numerals is signed Le Roy, watchmaker of Madame in Paris.
Basil Charles Le Roy (1765-1828).
The name of Le Roy is linked to one of the most important dynasties of Parisian watchmakers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Basile Le Roy was the first watchmaker in the line, but it was his son, Basile-Charles, who was the true founder, becoming master-watchmaker in 1785 and creating the same year, under the arcades of the Royal Palace, the workshop will remain that of the family for more than a century.
Spirit turned to innovation, Basile-Charles participates in international exhibitions, files patents, collaborates for the realization of the cases of his clocks with the best Parisian craftsmen, particularly bronziers Remond, Thomire, Galle and Reiche.
He has an exceptional career and becomes watchmaker of Her Imperial and Royal Highness Mother, of the Emperor, King of Westphalia, Her Imperial Highness Princess Pauline, honorary watchmaker of King Louis XVIII under the Restoration and the Garde-Meuble of the crown.
Nowadays, some clocks of the watchmaker belong to the most important private and international public collections, especially those preserved in the Louvre Museum and the Ministry of War in Paris, the Paul Dupuy Museum in Toulouse, the Royal Museums of Art and in Brussels and the International Watchmaking Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)
This bronzer was one of the most remarkable representatives of his art at that time. Student of Houdon, destined by his talent to be a sculptor, he renounces it for lack of money (the statuary requires financial means that he does not have.) He enters the studio of bronzier and carver Pierre Gouthière, whose He quickly acquired the mastery and secrets of the trade and after the bankruptcy of the company, Thomire set up shop in 1776 and gradually established himself as the most famous chiseller of his generation.
From royal orders to imperial supplies, his workshop is so developed that it employs up to seven hundred people, raising its craftsmanship to an industry recognized throughout Europe and to the United States, thanks to a level of quality that illustrates French excellence during the Empire.
A clock similar to ours was delivered to the Garde-Meuble by the watchmaker Bailly on December 30, 1810 (Inventaire de Compiègne brands, CP crowned), it takes place in the living room of the apartment of the Duchess of Bassano, then under the Restoration in the circular living room...
Category
French Empire Antique 1810s Table Clocks and Desk Clocks