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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Lyre-form Mantel Clock

Partially verified

This lyre-shaped mantel clock, dated circa 1768, is constructed from gilded and patinated bronze, featuring an enamel dial. The clock stands 87 cm high, 42 cm wide, and 26.5 cm deep. The dial, finished in white enamel, bears the signature 'JULIEN LE ROY' in black ink. Internal inscriptions confirm production details, including references to 'Buzot' and the date October 1768 on the springs for both the striking and going trains. The piece was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 2011 through the support of the H.B. van der Ven fund, the BankGiro Loterij, and the Jaffé-Pierson Stichting.

Lyre-form mantel clock with patinated bronze dragon ornament, circa 1768.
Lyre-form mantel clock with patinated bronze dragon ornament, circa 1768. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Julien Le Roy
Reference
BK-2011-55
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-2011-55
Source-reported date
ca. 1768
Source-reported place
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

Case and Dial Design

The clock features a distinct lyre-shaped frame crafted from gilded bronze, which provides a vertical orientation for the centrally mounted clock face. The top of the lyre is ornamented with a patinated bronze figure depicting a dragon with wings and legs. The case stands on a rectangular base with decorative feet.

The clock face consists of a circular white enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers and Arabic numeral minute markers. The maker's signature, 'JULIEN LE ROY', is rendered in black email on the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “Liervormige pendule van verguld en gepatineerd brons.”
  • “signatuur, op de wijzerplaat, geschilderd in zwart email: ‘JULIEN/ LE ROY’”
  • “dragon (large fabulous serpent, sometimes with wings and legs)”

Movement and Signatures

The clock's movement is attributed to the atelier of Julien Le Roy in Paris. The backplate of the movement is signed 'Julien Le Roy AParis'. Internal examination reveals inscriptions on the internal springs, specifically referencing the year and month of production.

One spring, associated with the striking train, is inscribed 'Buzot 8bre 1768 Sonerie', while the spring for the going train bears the inscription 'Buzot 8bre 1768 Mouvement'. These engravings provide specific dating for the movement components to October 1768.

Evidence for this section
  • “uurwerkmaker: atelier van Julien Le Roy, Parijs”
  • “inscriptie, op de veer van het slagwerk: ‘Buzot 8bre 1768 Sonerie’”
  • “signatuur, op de achterplaat van het uurwerk, gegraveerd: ‘Julien Le Roy AParis’”

Provenance and Documentation

The object, accessioned as BK-2011-55, entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in 2011. Its acquisition was supported by the H.B. van der Ven fund, the BankGiro Loterij, and the Jaffé-Pierson Stichting.

The records classify the item as a mechanical clock and identify the primary materials as gilded bronze, patinated bronze, and enamel. The manufacture is split between anonymous bronze workers in Paris and the Le Roy horological atelier.

Evidence for this section
  • “Aankoop met steun van de heer H.B. van der Ven, Den Haag, de BankGiro Loterij en de Jaffé-Pierson Stichting”
  • “Twee pendules van dit model werden in de 18de eeuw gekocht door de koningen van Zweden.”
  • “bronswerker: anoniem, Parijs”

Open research questions

  • What is the professional role of 'Buzot' in the context of the Le Roy atelier in 1768?
  • To what extent is the dragon motif documented in other Parisian clock designs of the same period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lyre-form Mantel Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAtelier of Julien Le Roy“uurwerkmaker: atelier van Julien Le Roy, Parijs”
Dateca. 1768“ca. 1768”
Dimensions87 cm x 42 cm x 26.5 cm“hoogte 87 cm x breedte 42 cm x diepte 26,5 cm”
MaterialsGilded and patinated bronze, enamel“verguld en gepatineerd brons, email”
Dial signatureJULIEN LE ROY“signatuur, op de wijzerplaat, geschilderd in zwart email: ‘JULIEN/ LE ROY’”
Internal inscriptionBuzot 8bre 1768 Sonerie“inscriptie, op de veer van het slagwerk: ‘Buzot 8bre 1768 Sonerie’”
Backplate signatureJulien Le Roy AParis“signatuur, op de achterplaat van het uurwerk, gegraveerd: ‘Julien Le Roy AParis’”

Visible details

  • Lyre-shaped case body
  • Patinated bronze dragon figure surmounting the lyre
  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals
  • Gilded bronze base with decorative feet

Research qualifications

  • The specific bronze worker remains anonymous
  • The exact connection between 'Buzot' and the assembly process is not fully detailed beyond the inscriptions on the springs

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

Consulted source

Mantel clock, c. 1768

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 4946164fa4

Terms in this record

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

Other mantel clock records