Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Clock by Le Roy & Fils

~ French - Circa 1870 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A magnificent Renaissance style clock by the renown Parisian clockmaking firm of Le Roy &Fils. Beautifully modelled in finely gilded bronze and finely decorated with exquisite polychrome champlevé enamel. The case is formed with an arched swan neck pediment surmounted by a turret with elaborate finial.

Email Julie@dragon-antiques.com
or call ++44 1773 829629 to reserve

~~ or ~~

£9750 English Pounds Sterling

Shipping within UK £30

Shipping to USA / Europe £165 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £225 by air fully insured

stock code:

RSC3665

To the sides are charming figures of cherubs clutching the baluster turned pillars. A third cherub is seated above the dial. The dial is also gilded bronze with champlevé enamel and is complete with original finely blued steel hands. The clock is decorated in the round with a frosted glass rear door. Please note that this type of clock does not have a glazed bezel to cover the dial.

The French movement is of high quality and is by Vincenti et Cie. It is in excellent clean and running condition having been fully overhauled by our clockmaker. Pendulum is original. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a bell. Click the video below to hear the bell and watch the clock running.

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is particularly good with only minor wear where the clock has been handled and some light marks and discolouration. The rear most bun feet are missing however the clock sits very well without them. Rear frosted glass has some marks. Enamel is very good.

Established by Basile Charles Le Roy in 1785, the firm of Le Roy et Fils became a well-established and renowned clockmaker. Basile had been Napoleon's master clockmaker, and along with his son Charles-Louis, he worked for Princess Pauline and the Duke de Bourbon as well. Examples of the firm's work are included in all of the major world collections. The firm was located at the Palais Royale from 1785, the year of its founding, through the death of Charles-Louis at Versailles in 1865. A shop was opened in London, in 1854 at 296 Regent Street under the name of Le Roy and Son. The name was later changed to Le Roy and Fils. A second shop was opened in London in 1885 at 57 New Bond Street. Le Roy and Fils was a British Royal Warrant holder to Queen Victoria.

Champlevé enamelling, is similar to cloisonné in that the enamel is applied to discrete cells separated by metal. However, in champlevé, cells or troughs are cast into or cut away from the metal base, leaving a raised metal line between the cells which forms the outline of a design. The cells are then filled with molten or powdered glass and fired.

Le Roy & Fils and Vincenti marks on the movement backplate

Complete with original pendulum, bell and a suitable key. Full setting up instructions supplied if required.

Dimensions of clock:	inches	Height 21", Width 11", Depth 8 1/4"
	centimetres	Height 53.5 cm, Width 28 cm, Depth 21 cm

About us - All of our clocks are original antiques, we source most of our clocks in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK. We prefer to buy our clocks in original 'dirty' condition. We then clean the cases using a technique we have developed over many years. We employ two qualified clockmakers who overhaul the movements. Movements are thoroughly tested until we are satisfied that they will run trouble free.

Click the movie player below to see the this actual clock run -
(large file, may take a moment to start).