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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Jean-Baptiste Helye Louis XVI 'Allegory of Maritime Commerce' mantel clock

Partially verified

This Louis XVI period Parisian mantel clock represents an allegory of maritime commerce, housed in a gilt-bronze sculptural case shaped like a boat upon waves. Resting on a white marble plinth with gilt-bronze floral and scroll mounts, the clock is flanked by a draped classical female figure and a turbaned Levant trader. A winged putto and cargo motifs decorate the prow and deck. The white enamel dial is inscribed 'JN B.TE HELYE A PARIS' with Roman hour numerals and outer Arabic minute indicators, accompanied by two winding apertures.

Front full view of the Louis XVI gilt-bronze and marble mantel clock depicting maritime commerce
Front full view of the Louis XVI gilt-bronze and marble mantel clock depicting maritime commerce — Your Antiques / Proantic. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Jean-Baptiste Helye
Reference
1691419
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
18th century
Country
France

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

Object Description and Iconography

This Louis XVI period mantel clock is designed as an allegory of maritime trade. The gilt-bronze case is modeled as a boat resting upon waves, featuring a winged putto at the prow retrieving an anchor, alongside decorative elements representing barrels and bales.

The central dial is flanked by two figures: a draped female deity on the left, identified in the source as likely representing Fortune or Abundance, and a standing man in turbaned Oriental attire on the right, interpreted as a representation of trade with the Levant. The entire assembly is set upon a white marble base decorated with gilt-bronze rosettes, scrolls, and floral motifs.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case takes the form of a boat on the waves , symbolising navigation and commerce.”
  • “At the centre sits the dial, framed by two finely modelled figures: to the left, a draped female deity , likely Fortune or Abundance , pointing to an inscribed scroll that celebrates prosperity; to the right, a turbaned man in Oriental attire , representing trade with the Levant.”
  • “At the prow, a winged putto retrieves an anchor, while barrels and bales evoke maritime cargo and abundance.”
  • “The clock rests upon a white marble base embellished with gilt-bronze scrolls, rosettes and floral ornaments in Louis XVI taste.”

Dial and Mechanism

The timepiece features a white enamel dial signed 'Jn Bᵗᵉ Helye – à Paris'. It displays Roman hour numerals and is noted to have two winding apertures.

The internal Paris movement, which also bears the signature of Jean-Baptiste Helye, is described as having a silk-thread suspension system and a strike mechanism for hours and half-hours on a bell. The bronze elements are finished with mercury gilding.

Evidence for this section
  • “The enamel dial bears the signature Jn Bᵗᵉ Helye – à Paris , which also appears on the movement’s backplate .”
  • “The Paris movement features silk-thread suspension , striking the hours and half-hours on a bell.”
  • “The mercury gilding remains largely original”

Condition and Limitations

The source describes the condition as having original gilding with minor age-related wear, and notes the presence of old hairlines on the enamel dial near the winding holes.

The movement's internal state and timekeeping accuracy have not been tested over a long duration by the seller. The internal backplate and bell are not visible in the provided source photographs.

Evidence for this section
  • “very good, with original gilding showing minor age wear; enamel dial with old hairlines near the winding holes”
  • “strike and movement not tested over long duration.”

Open research questions

  • What is the current mechanical condition of the silk-thread suspension?
  • Are there records of other clocks by Jean-Baptiste Helye featuring similar maritime iconography?
  • Do the hairlines near the winding holes affect the stability of the enamel dial?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jean-Baptiste Helye Louis XVI 'Allegory of Maritime Commerce' mantel clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial SignatureJn Bᵗᵉ Helye – à Paris“The enamel dial bears the signature Jn Bᵗᵉ Helye – à Paris”
Suspension TypeSilk-thread suspension“The Paris movement features silk-thread suspension”
Dimensions48 cm x 40 cm x 19 cm“Height - 48 cm Width - 40 cm Depth - 19 cm”
Base MaterialWhite marble base with gilt-bronze ornaments“The clock rests upon a white marble base embellished with gilt-bronze scrolls, rosettes and floral ornaments in Louis XVI taste.”
MakerJean-Baptiste Helye“Jean-Baptiste Helye, recorded as a Parisian master clockmaker in 1762”
Dimensions48 cm x 40 cm x 19 cm“Height - 48 cm Width - 40 cm Depth - 19 cm”

Visible details

  • White marble plinth supported by turned gilt feet and decorated with gilt-bronze friezes
  • Gilt-bronze boat-shaped case featuring a draped female figure on the left and a turbaned standing man on the right
  • Enamel dial with Roman hours, outer Arabic five-minute markings, pierced gilt hands, and two winding arbors
  • Visible hairline cracks on the enamel dial near the winding apertures

Research qualifications

  • Movement backplate, striking bell, and internal mechanism are not visible in the provided photographs
  • Functional state and timekeeping accuracy are untested by the source dealer

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Clock "allegory Of Maritime Commerce" Signed Jn Bᵗᵉ Helye, P

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 8bb59a2d04

Terms in this record

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

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