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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Mantel clock

Pendule borne depicting the legend of Romulus and Remus

Partially verified

This French mantel clock, dating to the early 19th century, is fashioned as a pendule borne, featuring a bronze case that combines gilt and patinated finishes. The design centres on a figurative scene representing the Roman legend of Romulus and Remus, with a patinated bronze wolf figure surmounting the clock, which incorporates glass eyes. Beneath the wolf, the gilt bronze case depicts figures and trees, with the clock face itself set within a cartouche-shaped front. The entire assembly rests upon a white marble base with gilded feet. , equipped with gilt brass hands and a signature reading 'Dumont, A Paris'. The clock is powered by a twin-train movement featuring an external count wheel and a silk suspension, designed to strike the hours and half-hours on a polished bell.

Front view of the pendule borne depicting Romulus and Remus, featuring the bronze wolf and suckling figures, white enamel dial, and marble base.
Front view of the pendule borne depicting Romulus and Remus, featuring the bronze wolf and suckling figures, white enamel dial, and marble base. — Bonhams / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Clock · Mantel clock
Maker / attribution
Dumond
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
206932727
Source-reported date
early 19th century
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 mantel clock is constructed as a pendule borne, utilizing a combination of patinated and gilt bronze. The upper portion of the case features a large, patinated bronze wolf figure, an element intended to represent the legend of Romulus and Remus. This animal figure is crafted with glass eyes to enhance the visual detailing. The central cartouche-shaped section of the housing is decorated with cast scenes of figures and trees.

The clock face is a 4.5-inch white enamel dial featuring black Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic markers for the quarter hours. It is fitted with gilt brass hands. The dial bears a signature, which the auction description reports as 'Dumont, A Paris', positioned beneath the central hand arbor. The entire structure is mounted on a white marble base, which itself is decorated with a gilt metal frieze and supported by small feet.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case depicting the tale of Romulus and Remus, the cartouche-shaped front cast with trees and figures on paw feet, the surmounting wolf with glass eyes, on a white marble base”
  • “the 4.5 inch white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and Arabic quarter hour markers with gilt brass hands signed beneath Dumont, A Paris”

Movement and Function

The timepiece is driven by a twin-train movement. This mechanism is configured to strike the hours and the half-hours, utilizing a polished bell as the sound source. The construction of the movement includes an external count wheel, a common feature for clocks of this style, and it employs a silk suspension for the pendulum.

According to the auction-house description, the movement is currently in functional condition. The auction report provides an assessment of the current state of the components, categorizing the condition of the movement as fair, while noting that the piece was ticking at the time of the report.

Evidence for this section
  • “the twin train movement with external count wheel and silk suspension striking the hours and half hours on a polished bell, currently ticking.”
  • “Movement: fair”

Condition and Attribution

The auction description provides a status for the individual components of the clock. While the case is noted as having undergone restoration, it is described as being in good condition. The dial and the movement are both assessed by the auction house as being in fair condition, while the hands are identified as being in good condition.

The attribution of the work to 'Dumond' is noted with the hedging term 'Probable' in the source record. Furthermore, the auction house documents indicate that independent confirmation regarding the type attribution and the specific auction-house claims requires further research. The listing does not define a specific workshop or stylistic period beyond a general reference to the early 19th century.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: good (restored) Dial: fair Hands: good Movement: fair”
  • “Credible evidence exists but classification is not fully established.”
  • “Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.”

Open research questions

  • Does the clockmaker 'Dumont' or 'Dumond' have a documented workshop in Paris during the early 19th century?
  • What is the full provenance of this specific clock beyond the current auction listing?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pendule borne depicting the legend of Romulus and Remus
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerDumond“signed beneath Dumont, A Paris”
DateEarly 19th century“début XIXe siècle”
Dimensions45cm high, 38cm wide, 13cm deep“45cm high, 38cm wide, 13cm deep”
Dial4.5 inch white enamel“4.5 inch white enamel dial”
MovementTwin train with silk suspension“the twin train movement with external count wheel and silk suspension”
MaterialGilt and patinated bronze“gilt and patinated bronze”
ConditionRestored case, fair dial, good hands, fair movement“Case: good (restored) Dial: fair Hands: good Movement: fair”

Visible details

  • The wolf figure possesses glass eyes
  • The dial features a signature below the centre arbor
  • The clock stands on four small gilded feet
  • The base incorporates an ornate gilt metal frieze

Research qualifications

  • The exact attribution of the maker 'Dumond' vs 'Dumont' remains unverified by the source text
  • The extent of the reported restoration on the case is not specified

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

Consulted source

Pendule borne en bronze doré et patiné

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 828afe29ee

Terms in this record

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

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