Fine Louis XVI Ormolu and Marble Clock by Nicolas-Alexandre Folin

~ French - Circa 1780 ~

~~ Excellent condition, fully overhauled ~~

A rare and very fine original Louis XVI period antique French clock. Beautifully made in sumptuous mercury gilded bronze, it shows Amor loosing his weapons. A young woman arranges Amor's torch and arrows as a trophy with rose garlands and ribbons, meanwhile he looks on from the clouds, dabbing tears from his eyes. The fine chasing and finishing of the bronze gives a beautiful life to her.

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

~~ or ~~

£12500 English Pounds Sterling

Shipping within UK £50

Shipping to USA / Europe £150 by air fully insured

World wide shipping - £195 by air fully insured

stock code:

RSC2858

It is made in ormolu (Bronze Doré, mercury fire gilded bronze) mounted on white marble inset with ormolu. The modelling and chasing is exquisite and the condition is superb, especially considering the clock is almost 240 years old.

The fine enamel dial indicates the time as well as the date with a pair of delicately cut hands and a blue steel finger. It is most likely by one of the finest dial makers Georges-Adrien Merlet, a partial signature is on the bottom edge of the dial. The rear door is also glazed to allow the movement to be seen.

The French movement is by Nicolas-Alexandre Folin and is of very high quality. It is in excellent clean and running condition. It has an anchor escapement with silk suspension and the complication to drive the date hand. Pendulum and possibly the bell are replacements. It runs for 8 days and strikes the hours and halves on a large bell. Click the video clip below to hear the bell and watch the clock running!

Nicolas-Alexandre Folin was born around 1750 and in 1789 became master clockmaker. He used the signature Folin l’aîné 'the elder' to distinguish himself from his brother who was also a clockmaker. He was one of the best Parisian clockmakers of the time and specialised in high quality clocks of which one, a skelton clock, is in the Getty Museum. He worked with the finest artisans of the day including the enamel dial maker Georges-Adrien Merlet who was also possibly and inlaw (Folin was married to Marguerite Merlet). Merlet signed his dials 'G Merlet' as can be seen on the Getty clock. The signature on this clock's dial, although incomplete is most likely that of Merlet.

Ref: Tardy, Dictionnaire des horlogers français 1971.
European Clocks in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Gillian Wilson, D.H. Cohen, et. al, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
A similar clock is illustrated on page 131 of French Bronze Clocks 1700 - 1830, E Niehuser

Condition of the case is excellent, the original gilding is beautifully clean and bright with hardly any wear or discolouration. The marble has an excellent polish with some marks and discolouration, some nibbles to the edges and some small chips at the rear. The dial is also in very good condition, there is a chip near the edge at 12'oclock and chip at the edge at 6 o'clock (this isn't seen with the bezel closed). The glass is probably original with some marks and bubbles.

Nicolas-Alexandre Folin clockmakers signature on the dial

Partial enameller's signature on the dial

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

Dimensions of clock:	inches	Height 16 3/4", Width 11 3/4", Depth 5 1/2"
	centimetres	Height 42.5 cm, Width 30 cm, Depth 14 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).