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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Mantel/table pendulum clock · La Chaux-de-Fonds

The cylindrical gilded bronze case, decorated with garlands of roses, leaves and ribbons, stands on a square base with concave corners

Verified

An oval medallion, painted on enamel and representing an allegory of Astronomy, can be seen below the white enamel dial, which has Roman numerals and Breguet hands. The same medallion embellishes the back. The case is surmounted by a planetarium composed of the moon, the earth and the sun, and a silver ring bearing the following astronomical indications: dates, months, leap years, and the age and phases of the moon. The signs of the zodiac are depicted on painted enamel lozenges.

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH IV-135
Object type
Mantel/table pendulum clock
Place of production
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Dating
1830
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Bronze, Laiton, Émail
Dimensions (catalogue)
poids: 8.400 kg; Dimensions: 44.2 x 20.0 x 20.0 cm

Historical significance

  • An oval medallion, painted on enamel and representing an allegory of Astronomy, can be seen below the white enamel dial, which has Roman numerals and Breguet hands. The same medallion embellishes the back. The case is surmounted by a planetarium composed of the moon, the earth and the sun, and a silver ring bearing the following astronomical indications: dates, months, leap years, and the age and phases of the moon. The signs of the zodiac are depicted on painted enamel lozenges.
  • The clock movement has a recoil escapement and an hour and quarter strike.
  • Several clocks of this kind, known as Copernicus clocks, have been preserved. Another very similar model, signed on the dial, is also part of the International Museum of Horology's collection (inv. IV-134). A third, restored model belongs to the Museum of Applied Arts in Milan.
  • A portrait of the clockmaker (1763-1839) dating from 1839 (private collection) is exhibited next to this clock.

Photographs

The cylindrical gilded bronze case, decorated with garlands of roses, leaves and ribbons, stands on a square base with concave corners (MIH IV-135)
The cylindrical gilded bronze case, decorated with garlands of roses, leaves and ribbons, stands on a square base with concave corners (MIH IV-135) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
The cylindrical gilded bronze case, decorated with garlands of roses, leaves and ribbons, stands on a square base with concave corners (MIH IV-135)
The cylindrical gilded bronze case, decorated with garlands of roses, leaves and ribbons, stands on a square base with concave corners (MIH IV-135) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. IV-135: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/39033/

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.