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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Musical tall case clock

Belgian Louis XV Musical Tall Case Clock by Paul Conrard

Partially verified

According to the source, this Belgian tall case clock in the Louis XV style dates to circa 1740. It is housed in a carved oak case with an arched hood, sculpted trunk door, and bombé plinth base. The brass dial is fitted with an engraved pewter chapter ring, subsidiary seconds, calendar aperture, and an engraved hunting scene at the center, with a signature boss in the arch reading 'Paul Conrard A Leige'. The source reports an eight-day, three-train weight-driven movement featuring a pinned musical cylinder operating twenty-seven hammers on nine bells, followed by Dutch striking on two bells.

Full frontal view of the carved oak Belgian musical tall case clock
Full frontal view of the carved oak Belgian musical tall case clock — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Clock · Musical tall case clock
Maker / attribution
Paul Conrard
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
RJ WHAR119P
Source-reported date
Circa 1740
Country
Belgium

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction and Aesthetic

The clock is housed in an oak tall case described as featuring the aesthetic characteristics of the Louis XV period. The design includes an arched hood, a long door, and a bombé base.

The case features carved decorative elements including acanthus leaves on the arch above the dial, and relief carvings of vines, shells, and scrollwork on the door and base.

Evidence for this section
  • “Crafted of warm, rich oak, the hand-carved bombé base case displays subtle flourishes of the Louis XV period.”
  • “Graceful acanthus leaves decorate the clock in an arch above the dial”
  • “Further down the case, winding vines, shells, and scrollwork adorn the base and door”

Dial Composition and Decoration

The brass dial face incorporates a pewter chapter ring featuring Roman numerals and Arabic minute markers. It includes a subsidiary seconds dial and a calendar aperture.

The center of the dial features a relief engraving of a nobleman hunting a stag. The arch contains an engraved roundel signed 'Paul Conrard A Leige', with the dial corners set with hand-chased spandrels.

Evidence for this section
  • “brass dial with an engraved pewter chapter ring. Roman numerals and Arabic minute markers”
  • “At the dial center, an intricate relief engraving of a nobleman hunting a stag in the forest”
  • “At the top, an engraved roundel in the arch displays the signature of the clockmaker, Paul Conrard A Leige”
  • “Finely hand-chased corner spandrels frame the dial with ornate pierced work.”

Mechanism and Operational Details

The source identifies the clock as having an eight-day, three-train weight-driven movement. It utilizes a pinned cylinder to actuate twenty-seven hammers against nine bells to produce music at half-hour intervals.

Following the musical sequence, the clock performs Dutch striking on two distinct bells.

Evidence for this section
  • “8-Day 3-Train Weight-Driven Musical Movement”
  • “A large pinned cylinder will play a complex tune on nine bells with 27 hammers every half-hour.”
  • “Dutch Striking At The Half-Hours On Two Distinct Bells”

Open research questions

  • What is the physical condition and current state of the internal movement, as these components are enclosed?
  • What is the provenance of the ecclesiastical figure topper?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Belgian Louis XV Musical Tall Case Clock by Paul Conrard
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignaturePaul Conrard A Leige“At the top, an engraved roundel in the arch displays the signature of the clockmaker, Paul Conrard A Leige .”
DateCirca 1740“Circa 1740”
Movement Train8-Day 3-Train Weight-Driven Musical Movement“8-Day 3-Train Weight-Driven Musical Movement”
Musical MechanismPinned cylinder on 9 bells with 27 hammers“A large pinned cylinder will play a complex tune on nine bells with 27 hammers every half-hour.”
Striking TypeDutch striking on two bells“Dutch Striking At The Half-Hours On Two Distinct Bells”
Dimensions96″ H x 28-1/2″ W x 16″ D (120″ H with topper)“96″ High x 28-1/2″ Wide x 16″ Deep 120” High with figural topper”
Case MaterialOak“Crafted of warm, rich oak, the hand-carved bombé base case displays subtle flourishes of the Louis XV period.”
Height96 inches (120 inches with topper)“96″ High x 28-1/2″ Wide x 16″ Deep 120” High with figural topper”
TopperEcclesiastical figure topper“This piece survives with an original ecclesiastical figure topper”

Visible details

  • Carved oak tall case clock with an arched pediment hood, long trunk door, and flared bombé plinth base on small feet.
  • Trunk door is carved with Rococo scrollwork and features a small central circular aperture framed by relief carving.
  • Arched dial includes ornate corner spandrels, a circular chapter ring with Roman hours and Arabic minutes, and a roundel boss in the arch.

Research qualifications

  • The three-train movement, pinned cylinder, bells, hammers, and weights are enclosed and cannot be verified from the exterior photograph.
  • The source notes an original figural topper, which is absent from this photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

18th Century Belgian Louis XV Musical Tall Case Clock - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3b6787280d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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